Ontario Construction News staff writer
The federal government is committing $36.2 million to conserve and upgrade key heritage infrastructure along the Rideau Canal National Historic Site, Parks Canada announced Tuesday.
Funding will support multi-year conservation work at three locations on the waterway, a UNESCO World Heritage Site stretching 202 kilometres between Ottawa and Kingston. The projects include masonry repairs at Lock 14 on Long Island, replacement of the Brass Point Bridge, and stone and masonry reconstruction at Clowes Weir.
Construction will help preserve nationally significant heritage structures, support transportation infrastructure and ensure continued safe passage for boaters and land-based visitors.
“National historic sites help us reflect on our shared history, telling the stories of who we are as communities and as a country,” said Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture. “As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Government of Canada is committed to preserving the integrity and beauty of the Rideau Canal National Historic Site.
“This funding not only protects a living piece of Canadian history but also boosts local economies, supporting the businesses, tourism, and communities that thrive along its banks.”
The Rideau Canal is one of Canada’s oldest continuously operated canals and a major tourism draw for eastern Ontario communities. Parks Canada says the new projects will help safeguard the canal’s cultural and engineering legacy while supporting the economic vitality of destinations along the route.
Since 2015, the federal government has provided roughly $153 million for Rideau Canal infrastructure, in addition to the latest commitments. Parks Canada manages about 680 assets along the system, including locks, dams and swing and fixed bridges.
Newly funded projects include:
- Long Island Lock 14 — Built in 1832, the lock will undergo a full-height reconstruction of its walls, extending its lifespan by an estimated 50 years.
- Brass Point Bridge — Parks Canada will replace the swing bridge and rehabilitate the fixed bridge to maintain a vital vehicular crossing and improve public safety.
- Clowes Weir — The 1828 structure will receive new masonry components and a replacement timber deck as part of essential upgrades to the canal’s water management system.