Cathy Dobson
Fencing is up and pedestrian access is shut down along a portion of Point Edward’s waterfront just north of the Bluewater bridge to accommodate shoreline protection work.
An area stretching roughly from the Rotary Club’s flag plaza to the water treatment plant cannot be accessed during construction, which could last until summer.
Heavy equipment needed to replace about 100 metres of existing shoreline protection is using part of the adjacent parking lot and limiting vehicle traffic as well.
A condition assessment of a section of shoreline protection identified 14 large areas of concern spread along the structure with the majority near the bottom, says Clinton Harper, general manager of the Lambton Area Water Supply System (LAWSS).
The section that requires replacement was installed in 2003 and it’s believed the quality of rock used during construction is at the root of the problem.
Conditions have worsened due to recent high lake levels, Harper said in a written statement.
Work of this type is restricted to the fall and winter months for the protection of fish and habitat.
The lower stones at the base of the new structure must be in place by mid-March and that’s the contractor’s current focus, Harper said.
The upper section will be rebuilt in the spring, while the walkway and flag plaza will be restored as part of the final phase that is expected to extend into the summer.
The pathways through the construction site will remain closed for the duration of construction and restoration, he added.
“Citizens are asked to respect temporary condition and constructions signage,” Harper added.
The estimated cost of the project is $700,000 - $800,000.