Journal staff
A ground-breaking was held at Sarnia Harbour Friday, for what will be known as the Cestar Dock — a key piece of Sarnia-Lambton’s Oversize Load Corridor.
Officials with the City of Sarnia, local industry and Cestar College were on hand for the event, marking the start of the project — an $8.2 million expansion to the north slip of Sarnia Harbour. When complete, the dock will allow large industrial components to be rolled-on and rolled-off specially equipped cargo ships at Sarnia Harbour, linking local manufacturers to world markets.
“Cestar Dock serves as a symbol of the meaningful relationship between Lambton College and Cestar College and we are proud to contribute to this vital infrastructure development initiative,” aid Adrian Sharma, Cestar chief operating officer. “Our ability to give back to the Sarnia-Lambton community is something we are grateful for and we celebrate this joint achievement today.”
The Oversize Load Corridor (OLC) is a designated road corridor providing an unimpeded connection between Sarnia Harbour and local industry, allowing local businesses to move large products to and from the shipping access point at a reduced cost.
Officials say the $17-million project will mitigate traffic impacts of oversized loads moving through the city, and enhance safety.
The project is funded with support from the National Trade Corridors Fund; the Southwestern Ontario Development Fund; the City of Sarnia; Lambton County; and the Sarnia Lambton Industrial Alliance.
"The resilience, efficiency, and dependability of our supply chain is a top priority for our government,” said the Honourable Omar Alghabra, Federal Minister of Transport.
“This infrastructure development project represents a vital step towards completing the City's Oversized Load Corridor and ensuring accessible essential goods for Canadians.”
To date, the City has completed detailed engineering; burying of 230 utility crossings; resurfacing 2.8 km of Blackwell Side Road; and installed 22 rotating traffic signal bases as part of the OLC project, removing barriers for oversized loads along the corridor that utilizes Exmouth Street, Murphy Road, Confederation Street, Highway 40, Blackwell Sideroad, Churchill Road, and Plank Road.
Work on the Cestar Dock is expected to be completed by end of 2023.
"Lambton College is proud of our long-standing partnership with Cestar Group," said Rob Kardas, president & CEO, Lambton College. "Their generosity towards the Sarnia-Lambton Oversized Load Corridor, and specifically the Cestar Dock, is helping to solidify the economic development and future prosperity of our community."