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The Confederation Bridge: P.E.I. Connects
Almost since Confederation, a link between Prince Edward Island and the rest of Canada was a lively possibility. But would a fixed link sacrifice the island's stand-alone charm or just make life more convenient? And could a link disrupt the delicate ecosystem of the Northumberland Strait? From fishermen to farmers to ferry workers, the island's prospects were debated and protected. In 1988, after a 60-40 vote, the inevitable came to pass. It wouldn't be a tunnel or causeway; it would be a curvaceous, 14-kilometre bridge.		Educational activities about The Confederation Bridge: P.E.I. Connects

	Life in the ferry slow-lane		The options are…laughable!		This time, they're serious
	Tourists have to wait hours, sometimes days, to get on and off Prince Edward Island. (TV; runs 1:59)		Plans for a fixed link are suddenly dropped when the federal government gets cold feet and calls it off. (Radio; runs 6:20)		Twenty years after plans were dropped, bridging the Northumberland Strait is once again at the forefront. (TV; runs 3:23)

	The people speak		It's a yes!		Winner takes all
	The potato farmers, poets and everyone else have their opinion on the big vote. (Radio; runs 20:49)		A bridge or tunnel is almost certainly on the horizon now that the majority of islanders have voted in favour of a fixed link. (Radio; runs 1:27)		One lucky company will build the Confederation Bridge. (TV; runs 2:19)

	The link rises		An era is ending		A new chapter to an island story
	Building is well underway and emotions are still running high as a concrete bridge slowly emerges from the sea. (TV; runs 2:10)		A long and romantic tradition of ferryboat rides between New Brunswick and P.E.I. will end in two days. (TV; runs 3:29)		Some island experts explore the magical nature of island life and contemplate what's at stake when the bridge opens. (TV; runs 16:18)

	After the struggle, the reward		A Maritime Coney Island?
	In the spring of 1997 the Confederation Bridge opened to the public, amidst much celebration (TV; runs 2:15)		Most islanders are happy with the changes, even though some fears were right on target. (TV; runs 2:27)

LINKS Topic from Les Archives de Radio-Canada on the same subject Le pont bercé par la mer The CBC assumes no responsibility for the content of external links.

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