LAURIE WEIR
Municipalities along the Rideau Canal will meet this week to discuss efforts by the federal government to come to a resolution regarding the rebuilding of the LaSalle causeway in Kingston.
Smiths Falls chief administrative officer Malcolm Morris told council on Monday, Sept. 9, that a meeting of the municipalities bordering the Rideau Canal will discuss the impact this has had – and will continue to have – on the flow of large boats through their shoreline towns and villages when the temporary bridge is placed.
The 100-year-old Bascule bridge which is part of the causeway will have to be demolished, according to Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) after it was damaged earlier this year during construction on the bridge.
In August, Rideau Lakes Township sent a letter to the federal government to ensure boat traffic is not hindered on the canal during this time. The letter “demands” and immediate solution to allow large boat traffic to travel freely through the system.”
Smiths Falls is joining Rideau Lakes (and others) in its quest for answers from the PSPC.
“We’re meeting with the mayors and CAOs Thursday (Sept. 11) to continue that discussion,” Morris said, “and talk about next steps in our advocacy efforts to make sure boats can freely flow through the causeway – ideally by next spring.”
An update from the meeting will be shared with council at a future date.
