Parks Canada to Invest $173 Million in Improvements

 

$173 Million Investment in Historic Parks Canada Canals in Quebec

Parks Canada is budgeting new investments in infrastructure totalling $173.2 million over the next five years.

Planned allocation of investments include the following on the Richelieu River which flows from Lake Champlain.

Saint-Ours Canal National Historic Site: $7.674 M

Opened in 1849, the Saint-Ours Canal is known as the “tenth lock” on the Richelieu River, completing the canal system connecting the St. Lawrence River, the Richelieu River, Lake Champlain and the Hudson River.

Located on either side of Darvard Island, the Saint-Ours Canal and Dam were indispensable to international trade between Quebec and New England. Today, the Saint-Ours Canal is an exceptional place for relaxation in a natural setting.

The one-of-a-kind Vianney-Legendre Fish Ladder enables threatened species of fish to cross the Saint-Ours Dam to spawn in their traditional breeding grounds. Through a window installed in the fish ladder, visitors may watch the fish going up the river.

  • Project: Saint-Ours Canal National Historic Site—Dam, Lock and Fish Ladder Restoration.

The project involves repair work on the marine structures of the Saint-Ours Canal, namely the dam, lock and fish ladder, to maintain the navigable waterway.

  • Project: Saint-Ours Canal National Historic Site—Superintendent’s House Restoration

The purpose of the project is to repair the Superintendent’s House, in particular to replace the roof, stabilize the foundation and repair the building systems. This work will extend the useful life of this heritage building, the centrepiece of the canal’s landscape. 

 

Chambly Canal National Historic Site: $18.258 M

Opened in 1843, the Chambly canal, which runs along the Richelieu River, played a key role in Quebec’s forest products industry and in forest product exports to the United States.

For more than a century, heavily laden barges proceeded along the nearly 20 km long canal. Its nine locks, eight of which still operate manually, allowed the boats to bypass the rapids and negotiate a significant change in height between the Chambly basin and the Upper Richelieu.

A must-see tourist attraction in Montérégie, the Chambly Canal National Historic Site welcomes close to 300,000 visitors during the summer season.

  • Project: Chambly Canal National Historic Site—Lock Restoration

The project involves restoration work on the locks of the Chambly Canal to ensure the longevity of the structures and continuity of services for boaters. The work includes replacing the lock gates, upgrading the mechanical and hydraulic systems, and maintaining the walls.

  • Project: Chambly Canal National Historic Site—Bridge Restoration

The project involves restoration work on the retractable bridges of the Chambly Canal, including work on the steel and concrete structures, to extend the useful life of the bridges.

  • Project: Chambly Canal National Historic Site—Superintendent’s House Upgrading and Rehabilitation

The purpose of the project is to rehabilitate the Superintendent’s House, a heritage building, and bring it up to code to ensure its longevity and promote its use.

 

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