UPDATE | Point Abino Road sustains damage after Lake Erie wind storm
January 4, 2026 at 5:28 AM
UPDATE | January 9, 2026 @ 4:33 a.m.: The Town of Fort Erie has confirmed in an emailed statement to Fort Erie Radio that the damage to Point Abino Road is still under evaluation, and repairs will be covered under $7,215,000 in provincial disaster funding.
ORIGINAL STORY | January 4, 2026 @ 5:28 a.m.: The waterfront stretch of Point Abino Road from Erie Road to the private community dead end was seriously damaged during a Lake Erie wind storm on December 29, which eroded the road base and undermined sections of the asphalt.
The Town of Fort Erie has not responded to Fort Erie Radio’s requests for information on the damage, repair plans or timelines.
Credit: Andrew Hawlitzky | Fort Erie RadioThe road was closed on December 29 as wind gusts reached up to 110 km/h along the shoreline.
Credit: Andrew Hawlitzky | Fort Erie RadioThe damaged section falls within the limits of the Point Abino Road South Road Reconstruction and Shoreline Protection project. According to the town’s ‘Let’s Talk’ page, the project has entered phase four, and construction has started, but is not complete.
It is unclear whether the December 29 storm damage occurred within an active construction area or how it affects the scope, schedule or cost of the project.
Credit: Andrew Hawlitzky | Fort Erie RadioPlanning for the Point Abino reconstruction project began after severe Lake Erie storms in October 2019 and December 2022, when “unprecedented” storm conditions caused extensive damage to the shoreline and roadway.
The project includes the full reconstruction of the road, replacement of the shoreline protection wall to better withstand future storm events, and replacement of approximately 900 metres of existing watermain and services to property lines.
Credit: Andrew Hawlitzky | Fort Erie RadioThe town received $7,215,000 in Municipal Disaster Recovery Assistance funding in late December 2021, with $3,284,700 allocated to rebuilding the roadway and shoreline protection to limit future erosion and road breakage.
Credit: Andrew Hawlitzky | Fort Erie RadioFort Erie Radio will report further details if the town confirms the extent of the damage, the next repair steps or when the road may reopen.
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Andrew Hawlitzky
Andrew is a Niagara community journalist who has covered everything from local politics to annual festivals and breaking news. He works to make local news a platform where community voices lead the conversation. "If you don't like the news, go out and make some!"
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