Prince Edward Island Route 2
Encyclopedia
Route 2 is a 216 kilometres (134.2 mi) two-lane uncontrolled access secondary highway
traversing Prince Edward Island
, Canada
from Tignish to Souris
.
Route 2 is commonly called the "All Weather Highway," as it was one of the first such roads in Prince Edward Island to be open for traffic in all seasons. It passes through the cities of Summerside
and Charlottetown
and roughly parallels the primary railway
line through the province.
Route 2 was recognized as the first numbered highway in the province in 1890, when it opened between Charlottetown and Summerside. In 2003 the highway was designated "Veteran's Memorial Highway" - the same year that it qualified for federal infrastructure funding for much-needed capacity upgrades.
Route 2 has several local names:
The highway was first paved in the 1950s with many upgrades in recent decades; there have been preliminary discussions about making the highway a four-lane expressway, particularly since the abandonment of rail service in the province.
A perimeter arterial highway (ring road) across the northern and eastern part of Charlottetown was constructed as part of Route 2 in the 1990s with funding from a $200 million federal adjustment fund for road construction after the railway was abandoned. This section of road was extended to Upton Road and is now signed for Route 1 (the Trans-Canada Highway
), although Route 2 uses a small portion of the arterial highway between the Malpeque Road and St. Peter's Highway.
west of Summerside was diverted for several years during the 1940s with the establishment of an air force base named RCAF Station Mount Pleasant
. The base was closed following World War II
and the "Western Road" was returned to its original alignment which currently runs along the former flight line and tarmac of the air force base. The diversion road constructed around the base is still in use as a local public road.
Highway
A highway is any public road. In American English, the term is common and almost always designates major roads. In British English, the term designates any road open to the public. Any interconnected set of highways can be variously referred to as a "highway system", a "highway network", or a...
traversing Prince Edward Island
Prince Edward Island
Prince Edward Island is a Canadian province consisting of an island of the same name, as well as other islands. The maritime province is the smallest in the nation in both land area and population...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
from Tignish to Souris
Souris, Prince Edward Island
Souris is a Canadian port town in northeastern Kings County, Prince Edward Island. It is located in an area famous for its beaches and potatoes, containing the majority of Prince Edward Island's potato manufacturers.-History:...
.
Route 2 is commonly called the "All Weather Highway," as it was one of the first such roads in Prince Edward Island to be open for traffic in all seasons. It passes through the cities of Summerside
Summerside, Prince Edward Island
Summerside is a Canadian city in Prince County, Prince Edward Island. It is the second largest city in the province and the principal municipality for the western part of the island.- History :...
and Charlottetown
Charlottetown
Charlottetown is a Canadian city. It is both the largest city on and the provincial capital of Prince Edward Island, and the county seat of Queens County. Named after Queen Charlotte, the wife of George III, Charlottetown was first incorporated as a town in 1855 and designated as a city in 1885...
and roughly parallels the primary railway
Prince Edward Island Railway
The Prince Edward Island Railway was a historic Canadian railway.-Construction:Located wholly within the province of Prince Edward Island, construction of the PEIR started in 1871, financed by the United Kingdom...
line through the province.
Route 2 was recognized as the first numbered highway in the province in 1890, when it opened between Charlottetown and Summerside. In 2003 the highway was designated "Veteran's Memorial Highway" - the same year that it qualified for federal infrastructure funding for much-needed capacity upgrades.
Route 2 has several local names:
- Souris Road (Souris to Route 4 at Dingwells Mills)
- St. Peter's Highway (Dingwells Mills to Charlottetown)
- Malpeque Road (Charlottetown to Hunter RiverHunter River, Prince Edward IslandHunter River is a village located in Queens County in central Prince Edward Island just south-west of North Rustico. It is situated on the Hunter River....
); the Malpeque Road alignment continuing thereafter on the Princetown Road - New Annan Road (KensingtonKensington, Prince Edward IslandKensington is a town located 15 kilometres northeast of Summerside in Prince County, Prince Edward Island, Canada; As of 2001, the population was 1,385....
to Summerside) - Western Road (Summerside to Tignish)
The highway was first paved in the 1950s with many upgrades in recent decades; there have been preliminary discussions about making the highway a four-lane expressway, particularly since the abandonment of rail service in the province.
A perimeter arterial highway (ring road) across the northern and eastern part of Charlottetown was constructed as part of Route 2 in the 1990s with funding from a $200 million federal adjustment fund for road construction after the railway was abandoned. This section of road was extended to Upton Road and is now signed for Route 1 (the Trans-Canada Highway
Trans-Canada Highway
The Trans-Canada Highway is a federal-provincial highway system that joins the ten provinces of Canada. It is, along with the Trans-Siberian Highway and Australia's Highway 1, one of the world's longest national highways, with the main route spanning 8,030 km...
), although Route 2 uses a small portion of the arterial highway between the Malpeque Road and St. Peter's Highway.
Mount Pleasant diversion
The portion of the highway running through the farming hamlet of Mount PleasantMount Pleasant, Prince Edward Island
Mount Pleasant is a Canadian rural community located in Prince County, Prince Edward Island.The name "Mount Pleasant" was selected at a public meeting on November 1, 1862 and was formally recognized in Place Names of Prince Edward Island in 1925....
west of Summerside was diverted for several years during the 1940s with the establishment of an air force base named RCAF Station Mount Pleasant
RCAF Station Mount Pleasant
RCAF Station Mount Pleasant was a Royal Canadian Air Force station in Mount Pleasant, Prince Edward Island, Canada. Two of its runways remain in use by members of the Experimental Aircraft Association....
. The base was closed following World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
and the "Western Road" was returned to its original alignment which currently runs along the former flight line and tarmac of the air force base. The diversion road constructed around the base is still in use as a local public road.