Replaced portions of breakwall in Fort Erie proving to be resilient, says Niagara Parks
December 31, 2024 at 4:22 AM
Newly replaced portions of the breakwall have withstood recent weather events in Fort Erie, including overnight Sunday and into Monday morning when high winds were a factor along Lake Erie.
That’s according to Ron Carpenter, director of capital works and engineering for Niagara Parks, the agency that maintains the breakwall and oversees shoreline property from Fort Erie to Niagara-on-the-Lake.
Niagara Parkway between Central Avenue and Queen Street was closed for several hours Monday until the stretch of roadway was reopened in the early afternoon.
The breakwall in Fort Erie was not damaged during a high-wind event that started Sunday night and continued into Monday, said Niagara Parks staff. Credit: Kris Dubé | Fort Erie RadioThe high-wind event caused no damage to the breakwall, said Carpenter in a statement to Fort Erie Radio.
The roadway was temporarily closed due to high water levels and gusting winds, which brought “some water over the wall.”
Niagara Parks started replacing broken sections of the breakwall in Fort Erie in 2020.
Work resumed in 2023 with a $1.3-million budget focused on sections north of the Peace Bridge, including trail realignment.
The project is “progressing well,” with nearly half of the breakwall successfully reconstructed, said carpenter.
An additional $6 million is required to complete the restoration, which is expected to take approximately three to four years.
To date, $2.2 million has been spent, replacing nearly 900 metres of the breakwall, he explained.
In 2016, a new design using steel-reinforced concrete was developed.
“This material has proven highly durable in withstanding Lake Erie’s severe weather conditions,” said Carpenter.
What if there was no breakwall?
“Without the breakwall, storm damage and erosion would likely increase, posing risks to public safety, particularly in areas where pathways are close to the shoreline,” answered Carpenter.
The restored breakwall has been highly effective in reducing storm damage and enhancing public safety, especially near walkways, he said, adding that the new design has “demonstrated resilience during recent extreme weather events.”
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About The Author
Kris Dubé
Kris is a veteran journalist who has worked in Niagara for close to 20 years. He is also a lifelong resident of Fort Erie, a place he plans to call home and raise his family for many more years.
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