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Transportation and Public Works
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TPW History
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From Past to Present
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An iceboat crossing that started in 1827 from Cape Traverse to Cape
Tormentine was approximately 12 km (7.2 miles). The full cost to cross
for men was $5.00, if men and boys were willing to help row and pull
the boat over ice the cost was $2.00. Women and the elderly were not
allowed to pull the boats so they had to pay $4.00. When it was time
to pull the boat over the ice, men were secured with leather straps
across their chests and required to pull the iceboat to the next open
water area.
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Prince Edward Island joined Confederation in July, 1873 due to a large
debt brought on by the building of the railway. The Steam Engine
functioned on a coal burning furnace that would heat up a large water
boiler that created the steam. It was replaced by the diesel engine in
1950. The last train left PEI on a car ferry on December 31, 1989, after
114 years of service.
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The SS Prince Edward Island crossed between Borden and Cape Tormentine
from 1917 until 1968. She was a twin screw steamer cast in heavy steel
and capable of 7000 horsepower. SSPEI was 300 feet long and 52 feet
wide. During the Second World War in 1942 the SSPEI was almost torpedoed
by a German U-boat on a trip back from a Quebec refit, but made it home
safely.
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The MV Abegweit went into service between Borden and Cape Tormentine
in December, 1982. She was 122.38 metres long and had a passenger
capacity of 900. The MV Abegweit was named after her predecessor which
was officially renamed Abby. She took her last officially sail May 31,
1997, the same day the Confederation Bridge opened.
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The Confederation Bridge officially opened May 31, 1997. The 12.9 km
(9 mile) bridge joins Borden-Carleton, Prince Edward Island and Cape
Jourimain, New Brunswick and is the longest bridge over ice covered
waters in the world. The Confederation Bridge is 11 m wide and carries
two lanes of traffic each 3.75 m wide, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
The normal travelling speed is 80 km/h and it takes approximately 10
minutes to cross the Bridge.
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