Harper Government announces major new investments on the Trent-Severn Waterway in Ontario

QUINTE WEST, ON, June 19, 2015 /CNW/ - The Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of the Environment and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, today announced infrastructure investments totalling more than $285 million across the Trent-Severn Waterway in Ontario. Minister Aglukkaq was joined by Rick Norlock, Member of Parliament for Northumberland–Quinte West, Daryl Kramp, Member of Parliament for Prince Edward—Hastings and Bruce Stanton, Member of Parliament for Simcoe-North.

This major investment includes the replacement of the Brighton Road Swing Bridge, major repairs or replacement to locks and dams as well as the repair and rehabilitation of several other bridges throughout the Trent-Severn Waterway. This investment will help to ensure that the Trent-Severn Waterway is protected and secured for the future while also creating and protecting jobs and opportunities.

The Government of Canada is committed to enhancing visitor experiences along the Trent-Severn Waterway. In addition to this major investment for its infrastructure, Parks Canada has also taken other actions, including:

• An exciting 2 for 1 lockage permit offer that provides boaters an opportunity to double their fun on historic canals in Ontario and Québec;
• The installation of oTENTik tents and showers at Lock 24 Douro;
• The establishment of a guided tour in a beautiful multi-passenger Voyager canoe from the Peterborough Lift Lock; and,
• The placement of Red Chairs in scenic locations along the waterway.

Quick Facts

• The Trent-Severn Waterway is Canada's largest national historic site spanning over 400 kilometres with more physical assets than any other. It has 44 locks, a marine railway, and approximately 160 water control structures.
• The Trent-Severn Waterway is one of Canada's most visited national historic sites welcoming more than 1 million visitors every year.
• In addition to its historical value, this waterway is a crucial transportation and recreation link for the region.
• Successive groups of Aboriginal people travelled the ancient natural waterway formed by the waterway lakes, thousands of new Canadians were employed in the construction of its locks and dams, and today countless people benefit from the tourism economy that it affords.
• Parks Canada is present in hundreds of communities across Canada and contributes approximately $3 billion dollars to the Canadian economy every year. Parks Canada's overall contribution to the Canadian economy is responsible for more than 40,000 jobs from coast to coast to coast.
• These projects are a part of an unprecedented $2.6 billion investment by the Government of Canada in the infrastructure of Parks Canada announced by the Prime Minister on November 24, 2014. This investment will see infrastructure improvements to heritage, visitor experience, waterway and highway assets located within national historic sites, national parks, and national marine conservation areas across Canada.

Quotes

"Our Government is committed to connecting Canadians to nature. The Trent-Severn Waterway welcomes boaters and tourists every summer and is an excellent example of how Canada's heritage is directly linked to nature and the outdoors. The Trent-Severn Waterway directly contributes to the local economy and through investments such as today's, our Government is ensuring that the Waterway can continue to play its vital economic role in the role in the region."

-The Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of the Environment and Minister Responsible for Parks Canada

"With these investments our Government will be creating and protecting jobs and opportunities by renewing visitor facilities in our national parks and national historic sites. This will allow Canadians to have a greater connection to our protected places."

-Rick Norlock, Member of Parliament for Northumberland–Quinte West

"This waterway has always been crucial to the people of this area. This major announcement will strengthen and grow the local and regional economy as we increase tourism opportunities throughout the Trent-Severn Waterway."

-Daryl Kramp, Member of Parliament for Prince Edward—Hastings

"This unprecedented commitment to the restoration and renovation of the waterway's infrastructure demonstrates our government's understanding of the economic, recreational and historic benefits the Trent-Severn Waterway brings to our region and to all Canadians."

-Bruce Stanton, Member of Parliament for Simcoe North

"I am delighted our Government is investing more than a quarter of a billion dollars in the Trent Severn Waterway. Today's announcement acknowledges the critical importance of this water management and navigational infrastructure for central Ontario."

-Barry Devolin, Member of Parliament for Haliburton—Kawartha Lakes—Brock

Related Product

Backgrounder: http://news.gc.ca/web/article-en.do?nid=989399

Associated Links

National Conservation Plan
Parks Canada: www.parkscanada.gc.ca

Backgrounder
Trent-Severn Waterway Infrastructure Investments
Grand total of new infrastructure investments:	$285.6 M
Infrastructure projects:
Trent-Severn Waterway National Historic Site
Project descriptions:
Brighton Road Swing Bridge Replacement Municipality of Quinte West	$3.7 M
Spanning the Murray Canal, the current Brighton Swing Bridge will be replaced by Parks Canada with one that has a full highway load rating and no restrictions for emergency and service vehicles.  Additional investments will enable Parks Canada to upgrade the current bridge to a two lane structure. The new bridge will allow the simultaneous flow of traffic in both directions and will meet current highway load standards, meaning the existing load restrictions will be removed once the project is complete.
A $3.7 million investment comes in addition to the $4.6 million announced for the Brighton Road Swing Bridge in March, 2014 for a grand total investment of $8.3 million.
Trenton Dam 1 Rehabilitation Trenton	$25.3 M
The intention of this project is to undertake a major rehabilitation of Dam 1 including mechanization of water control systems.  Trenton Dam 1 is the last remaining dam on the Trent River that has not been mechanized.  The project will improve public safety at this site, enhance operations and significantly improve the structure's condition. This will improve water management capability for the Trent River section of the waterway.
Glen Ross Swing Bridge Rehabilitation Municipality of Quinte West	$2.1 M
Rehabilitation work will include the replacement of structural members, upgrading of components and repainting of the bridge structure.
Ranney Falls Locks 11/12 & Healey Falls Locks 16/17 Valve Rehabilitation Campbellford, and Municipality of Trent Hills, respectively	$600 K
This project will include a review and evaluation of valves at both flight locks, which will recommend their rehabilitation or replacement.
Ranney Falls Locks 11/12 and Healey Falls Locks 16/17 Gate Hinge Replacements	$1.1 M
The gate hinges will be replaced on the steel gates at each of these locks.
Campbellford Dam Rehabilitation Municipality of Trent Hills	$5.5 M
This project will involve concrete repairs to the structure as well as the replacement of railings. This work will ensure that the dam is reliable, functional, meets current safety codes and standards, and that its water management capabilities are optimized.
Campbellford Dam Mechanization Municipality of Trent Hills	$3.2 M
This project will convert and rehabilitate timber stop log sluices into mechanical vertical gates. The project will also repair the overflow spillway of the dam, and rehabilitate some of the existing mechanical equipment.
Crowe Bay Dam Rehabilitation Near Campbellford, municipality of Trent Hills	$7.8 M
This project will involve concrete repairs to the structure as well as the replacement of railings. This work will ensure that the dam is reliable, functional, meets current safety codes and standards, and that its water management capabilities are optimized.
Crowe Bay Dam Mechanization & Rehabilitation Near Campbellford, municipality of Trent Hills	$3.2 M
Existing mechanical equipment at Crowe Bay Dam will be rehabilitated and some sections will be converted to mechanically operate steel gates.
Healy Falls Lock 16 Concrete Repair Municipality of Trent Hills	$3 M
This project will involve the concrete rehabilitation of lock chamber walls.
Scotts Mills Dam Replacement Peterborough	$28.8 M
This project will include the design and construction of a new dam, complete with mechanized steel gates.  This will eliminate leakage and make it safer for operators to make water level changes, ultimately improving water management capability on the Otonabee River.
Maria Street Swing Bridge Rehabilitation Peterborough	$2.1 M
Rehabilitation work will include the replacement of structural members, upgrading of components and repainting of the bridge structure.
Peterborough Lift Lock 21 Comprehensive Inspection and Repairs Peterborough	$3.1 M
The Peterborough Lift Lock is a national historic site and is a very complex structure. The intent of this project is to complete a comprehensive investigation of the asset, similar to the mandated assessments that are done on dams and bridges.  This will identify deficiencies, urgent requirements, and long term work needed to ensure the continued safe operation of this asset.
Nassau Dam at Lock 22 Mechanical Rehabilitation Peterborough	$10 M
This project will involve a full mechanization of the dam. This will eliminate leakage and improve water management capabilities.  Additional concrete rehabilitation work will also be undertaken on the structure.
Nassau Guard Gate Replacement Peterborough	$1.2 M
The Nassau Guard Gate at the top of the Otonabee River is 70 years old and currently inoperable.  Through this project, it will be replaced and potentially relocated further upstream to serve as a protective feature to manage high water events in the Peterborough area.
Otonabee Dam at Lock 23 Mechanical Rehabilitation Peterborough	$10.3 M
This project will entail the mechanization of the dam. New gates will eliminate leakage, reduce response time and increase the safety of water management operations.
Douro Dam at Lock 24 Replacement Peterborough	$25.3 M
Douro Dam at Lock 24 is a concrete dam that was constructed over 92 years ago.  This project will include the design and construction of a new dam, complete with mechanized steel gates.  This will eliminate leakage and make it safer for operators to make water level changes, ultimately improving water management capability on the Otonabee River.
Sawyer Creek Dam at Lock 25 Replacement Peterborough	$25.3 M
Sawyer Creek Dam at Lock 25 is a concrete dam that was constructed over 83 years ago.  This project will include the design and construction of a new dam, complete with mechanized steel gates.  This will eliminate leakage and make it safer for operators to make water level changes, ultimately improving water management capability on the Otonabee River.
Warsaw Road Swing Bridge 27 Rehabilitation Peterborough	$2 M
Rehabilitation work will include the replacement of structural members, upgrading of components and repainting of the bridge structure.
Lovesick Lock 30 Rehabilitation Peterborough County	$500 K
This project will involve repairs to the masonry of the lock structure including grouting and repointing.  Lovesick Lock 30 is one of three remaining masonry locks on the Trent-Severn Waterway.
Mississauga Lake Dam Rehabilitation Peterborough County	$2.8 M
This project will involve repairs to the structure in order to optimize its stability, reliability and water management capabilities.
Bobcaygeon Lock 32 & Fenelon Falls Lock 34 Lock Gate Re-painting City of Kawartha Lakes	$1.6 M
Work will involve sandblasting and repainting the steel gates at both locations, to prevent any possible future deterioration.
Fenelon Falls Lock 34 Building Rehabilitation City of Kawartha Lakes	$1.6 M
This project will develop a design concept, architectural plan and construction of a renewed lock station building. The building will undergo a major rehabilitation or replacement pending the outcome of an options study.
Coboconk Dam Rehabilitation City of Kawartha Lakes	$1.2 M
This project will involve concrete repairs to the structure and deck as well as the replacement of railings. This work will ensure that the dam is reliable, functional, meets current safety codes and standards, and that its water management capabilities are optimized.
Horseshoe Lake Dam Rehabilitation Minden Hills	$700 K
This project will involve repairs to the concrete structure, the elevation of its bulkhead gravity walls as well as public safety improvements. This work will ensure that the dam is reliable, functional, meets current safety codes and standards, and that its water management capabilities are optimized.
Kennisis Lake Dam Replacement North of West Guilford, municipality of Haliburton Highlands	$1.4 M
The Kennisis Lake Dam was originally constructed in 1873. Work will include demolition of the existing dam and reconstruction of a new concrete dam. The new dam will fall within a similar area of the existing structure, and will be upgraded to improve public safety.
The total project value is $4.9 million, $3.5 million of which was previously announced in March 2014.
Boundary Swing Bridge 44 Rehabilitation Near Bolsover, City of Kawartha Lakes	$2.1 M
Boundary Road Swing Bridge was built in 1902 and has undergone some minor recapitalization over the years, such as deck and structural steel replacement.  A consultant will be retained to complete a comprehensive investigation and prepare preliminary design options to identify additional rehabilitation requirements for this asset.
Talbot Dam at Lock 38 Rehabilitation Bolsover, City of Kawartha Lakes	$9 M
The Talbot Dam at Lock 38 was originally constructed in 1908 and has only undergone one minor rehabilitation since then.  This project will entail planning and procurement of specialized design services, which will determine whether the dam is to be rebuilt or rehabilitated.
Talbot Dam at Lock 39 Rehabilitation Bolsover, City of Kawartha Lakes	$9 M
The Talbot Dam at Lock 38 was originally constructed in 1905 and has only undergone one minor rehabilitation since then.  This project will entail planning and procurement of specialized design services, which will determine whether the dam is to be rebuilt or rehabilitated.
Hamlet Bridge 57 Rehabilitation or Replacement Near Severn Falls, connecting the Townships of Severn and Gravenhurst	$5.4 M
The Hamlet Swing Bridge is a combination fixed and swing bridge. The bridge was built in 1905 and has been identified for rehabilitation or replacement. An options analysis will be conducted as a part of this project to determine whether the bridge should be rehabilitated or replaced.
Swift Rapids Lock 43 Building and Bridge Rehabilitation Near Severn Falls, Township of Gravenhurst	$1.5 M
This will enable the development of a design concept, architectural plan and construction of a renewed lock station building. The building will undergo a major rehabilitation or replacement pending the outcome of an options study.
Swift Rapids Lock Road Bridge Rehabilitation Near Severn Falls, Township of Gravenhurst	$500 K
Four bridges on the road to Swift Rapids Lock 43 will undergo repairs.
Big Chute Marine Railway Car Rehabilitation or Replacement Near Severn Falls, Township of Gravenhurst	$4.8 M
Based on assessment and design, the Big Chute Marine Railway Car will be rehabilitated or replaced.
Earth Dam Repairs Across the Trent-Severn watershed	$11 M
Earth embankment dams across the watershed have been identified for rehabilitation or upgrades that may include repairs to washouts, removal of vegetation undermining their strength, and height increases.
Dam Gate Repainting Across the Trent-Severn Waterway	$2.6 M
Work will involve sandblasting and repainting of steel gates, railings, and embedded steel at various sites.
Replacement & Rehabilitation of Log Lifters Across the Trent-Severn Waterway	$2 M
Many dams on the Trent-Severn Waterway are operated using mechanically operated log lifters. Mechanical log lifters will be rehabilitated, and two of the 18 log lifters in use will be replaced.
Trent-Severn Waterway and Rideau Stop Log Replacements Various Locations across the Trent-Severn Waterway and Rideau Canal	$1.4 M
Ongoing replacement program for stoplogs at dams.
Dam Safety and Preventative Maintenance Projects Across the Trent-Severn Waterway	$2.9 M
Dam safety and preventative maintenance projects for dams.
Concrete Rehabilitation (Southern Sector)	$14.5 M
Concrete repairs are required on various dams, walls and other concrete structures.
Concrete Rehabilitation (Kawartha Sector)	$22.5 M
Concrete repairs are required on various dams, walls and other concrete structures.
Concrete Rehabilitation (Haliburton Sector)	$10.6 M
Concrete repairs are required on various dams, walls and other concrete structures.
Concrete Rehabilitation (Northern Sector)	$11.9 M
Concrete repairs are required on various dams, walls and other concrete structures.
Lock Handrails Replacement Across the Trent-Severn Waterway	$1 M
This project will entail the installation of handrails on locks and dams for improvements to public safety.
Site description:
Year after year, the Trent-Severn Waterway, meandering 386 km along central Ontario, continues to create unique experiences. After each spring thaw, the Waterway's historic locks and canals open, linking a passageway so magnificent it has been named "one of the finest interconnected systems of navigation in the world". Trent-Severn Waterway welcomes more than 1 million visitors every year and is one of the most-visited national historic sites in Canada. * Please note that the sum of individual project values may not equal the grand total indicated at the top of this document due to standard rounding errors.

SOURCE Parks Canada

Jonathan Lefebvre, Office of the Minister of the Environment, 819-997-1441; Media Relations, Parks Canada, 1-855-862-1812, www.twitter.com/parkscanada