Feb 26, 2017

City of Quinte West; Trent-Severn Waterway National Historic Site

The Trent-Severn Waterway is an important part of both the local tourism economy and quality of life for residents in communities along its length. As well, the dams in this area play an essential role in both water management and hydro development. The Government of Canada has announced more than $600 million of work on infrastructure across the Trent-Severn Waterway and its reservoir lakes. As a part of this historic re-investment, major work has been proposed in the coming years in the municipality of Quinte West.

What follows is a description of the work that will take place over the next three years, as well as the estimated timing of that work:

Brighton Road Swing Bridge Replacement

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 with a pedestrian walkway.

Parks Canada has met with the municipalities of Quinte West, Brighton, and Prince Edward County to discuss this project. The project itself is in the design stage, with tender for construction anticipated in mid-May 2017. Construction is tentatively scheduled for early Fall 2017. Watch for updates regarding this project.

Trenton Dam 1, Lock 1 Rehabilitation

A significant amount of work will be undertaken at this site. Work will focus on improving public safety and boater experience, enhancing operations, improving the condition of structures, and improving water management capability.

Trenton Dam 1 is one of the few remaining large dams on the Trent River that has not yet been mechanized. This project will replace the dam and include mechanization of water control systems. Rehabilitation work will be undertaken on Lock 1 and the lock approach walls, and the breakwater on the Bay of Quinte approach will be redesigned and stabilized. Parks Canada is proud of its role in the development of green energy. We are working with a third party provider to install a hydro generating station at this location that will produce additional renewable energy for our communities.

All projects in this area will include recommended environmental mitigation measures resulting from a multi-organization committee that has examined Species at Risk habitat including Channel Darter.

Bathymetry has been conducted at the Trenton site, and a prime consultant and construction manager have now been hired. More information regarding a schedule for onsite work will be provided to the public in the coming months.

Glen Miller Lock 3 and Dam

This project entails a comprehensive rehabilitation of the dam at Glen Miller Lock 3 and erosion control at the lock embankment, and upgrades to operator and public safety at the site. Repairs to the lock will also be undertaken.

This winter, water has been completely removed from this lock (de-watered) and an inspection was completed. A construction manager and prime consultant have been hired. More information regarding a schedule for onsite work will be provided to the public in the coming months.

The Dam at Frankford Lock 6 Rehabilitation

Frankford Dam 6 will undergo an investigation and rehabilitation with the objective of improving dam safety. Concrete repairs will be undertaken on the retaining walls and work will be done to improve the condition and function of the earth embankments at the dam. Additional measures will also be taken to improve the public safety elements of this dam.

A construction manager and prime consultant have now been hired, and more information regarding a schedule for onsite work will be provided to the public in the coming months.

Glen Ross Swing Bridge Rehabilitation

Both the Glen Ross Swing Bridge and lock, built in 1909, will undergo a rehabilitation. The bridge’s mechanical and electrical drive systems will be replaced while it is taken off site for structural steel repairs, timber deck replacement and repainting. While the bridge will remain a single lane, it will be upgraded from a 15 tonne load limit rating to a level 1 highway load rating. The lock will receive overall concrete re-facing to improve its condition, and new lock valves will be installed. Additional work will also be completed on the canal approach walls.

Parks Canada has met with the municipality of Quinte West to discuss this project. The project is in the design stage, and the lock has been de-watered and inspected. Construction is tentatively scheduled for early Fall 2017.

More Information: For questions or concerns, or to receive email updates, please contact us at Ont.TrentSevern@pc.gc.ca and include “Quinte West” in the subject heading, or reference a specific project. For up-to-date news about these or other Trent-Severn Waterway infrastructure projects, please visit www.pc.gc.ca/tswQuinteWest.