Journal Staff
It came in about 20% over budget but Sarnia’s new boardwalk is now complete.
The Front Street walkway has been a fixture above historic Ferry Dock Hill for generations, but the timber structure hadn’t been replaced since 1991 and was warped and rotting.
So last year city hall authorized $885,000 to take the boards out of the boardwalk and bring in a concrete version.
The precast walkway is pricier but expected to last longer with fewer repairs and maintenance problems.
When the old decking was removed, however, the steep incline was found to be unstable, requiring deeper foundations and foundation liners to protect against frost heaves, according to a city staff report.
The work also found broken or leaking watermain valves, resulting in a total extra cost of $158,000.
The boardwalk covers two blocks of waterfront between Davis and Johnston streets. The northern end features poured concrete with a stamped design while the south end is cantilevered over the steep bank.
The renovations include a restoration of existing benches and new streetlights, several of which have been knocked out in vehicle collisions.
