Ontario Construction News staff writer
A large portion of the Town of Port Hope’s Waterworks West Project — better known as West Beach — has reopened to the public following extensive remediation and restoration work carried out through the Port Hope Area Initiative (PHAI).
The project, led by Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL) under the direction of WSP, began in late 2022 with tree removal and site preparation. Between January 2023 and May 2024, more than 47,000 tonnes of low-level radioactive waste and soil were removed from the site as part of CNL’s ongoing environmental cleanup efforts.
A larger parking lot and other upgrades were completed as part of the improvements, allowing the eastern section of the beach to reopen last year. The area closed again this spring for additional landscaping, new plantings, and installation of a playground.
“West Beach has always been a place where residents gather to enjoy the beauty of our waterfront,” Mayor Olena Hankivsky said in a statement. “Thanks to the progress achieved through the Port Hope Area Initiative, with support from municipal staff, this space has been revitalized and improved with new features that make it even more welcoming.”
Further restoration of the western portion of West Beach is scheduled for 2026. The work will include temporary road closures as trucks access the site. When the remediation is complete, the access road will be converted into a scenic trail along the shoreline. A new shade structure is also planned for the southeast corner of the beach.
Municipal officials thanked residents for their patience and said they look forward to welcoming more people to the renewed waterfront.
The Port Hope Area Initiative is one of Canada’s largest environmental remediation projects, focused on safely managing historic low-level radioactive waste in the community.