Info-Work: Upcoming Investigative Work Along the Rideau Canal in Ottawa

Smiths Falls, Ontario, May 4, 2018 – Beginning May 7th, 2018, Parks Canada will be completing geotechnical investigations on various sections of the Rideau Canal between Bank Street and the Ottawa Locks. Work will be conducted from a barge in the canal between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. and will continue through the month of May.

In order to begin work, the contractor will lower a barge, by crane, into the canal on May 7th. This crane work will have an impact on vehicular, cyclist, and pedestrian traffic on Colonel By Drive. To minimize traffic impacts, the crane operation will be limited to off-peak hours, between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., and are expected to be completed within a two-hour window. A traffic management plan will see vehicular traffic reduced to a single lane and controlled by flaggers. A signed detour route will be in place for pedestrians and cyclists. 

The investigations along the Rideau Canal will include the drilling of approximately eight small test boreholes. This work will provide further information on the condition of the canal bed and walls, and will be used to plan future repairs to canal infrastructure. 

This project is part of Parks Canada’s unprecedented $3 billion investment over 5 years to support infrastructure work to heritage, visitor, waterway, and highway assets located within national historic sites, national parks, and national marine conservation areas across Canada. 

For up-to-date news on infrastructure work, please visit www.pc.gc.ca/rcInfrastructure or e-mail RideauCanal.info@pc.gc.ca to be added to our community engagement list.

Information:

Darryl Whitehead
External Relations Manager
Ontario Waterways
Parks Canada
darryl.whitehead@pc.gc.ca