BORDEN-CARLETON, P.E.I. — Three components of the Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) project at the Confederation Bridge are now complete, officials announced Thursday. The three components – a digital radio communication system, 511 travel information service, and lighting upgrades – are designed to increase efficiency, safety and reliability for users of this critical transportation corridor. The announcement coincided with the bridge’s 15^th anniversary.

“The Confederation Bridge is an important part of the Atlantic Gateway and investments in Gateway infrastructure create jobs, growth and prosperity in Atlantic Canada,” said Gail Shea, Minister of National Revenue on Thursday. “Today we celebrate another positive step in the Government of Canada’s commitment to the Atlantic Gateway that will benefit P.E.I., New Brunswick and the surrounding region.”

The digital radio communication system is a technology upgrade that replaces an analog system, which officials say will greatly improves communication quality and reliability in operations and emergency response. With the 511 service, the Confederation Bridge is joining the communication corridor in Atlantic Canada that subscribes to this service, allowing motorists to obtain updates and real-time traffic information on the bridge. The lighting upgrades replace existing bridge light fixtures with low-maintenance, weather-resistant and state-of-the-art LED fixtures.

The remaining project components of the ITS project on the Confederation Bridge include: toll plaza improvements, including transponder lane enhancements and electronic lane upgrades, improving the tolling service and speed of crossing for motorists and trucks on the bridge; dynamic messaging and signage improvements and the installation of an incident detection system; as well as the installation of computer assisted tiltmeters (bridge load monitoring technology) for the bridge monitoring system.

“These technology retrofits and advancements are significant components of this strategic infrastructure in Atlantic Canada and are already yielding impressive results in travel safety management and in the reduction of our environmental footprint” said Michel Le Chasseur, General Manager for Strait Crossing Bridge Limited, the company tasked with operating and maintaining the bridge.

The total cost for this project is $2.68 million and the Government of Canada will fund up to $1.34 million, half of the project cost.