City gets more than $20 million to help finish project (update)

This morning, Sault Ste. Marie’s mayor, MPP and MP stood shoulder to shoulder at the Civic Centre to announce all three levels of government are kicking in about $10-million each toward a major infrastructure project for the city.

The Fort Creek Aqueduct system carries storm water from the Fort Creek Dam in an open ditch along Carmen’s Way, then underground at Wellington Street to John, where it continues South to Queen Street.

“It’s a major component of our flood-control infrastructure,” said city engineer Don Elliot.

The existing Fort Creek Aqueduct system is so old, city engineers aren’t even sure when it was built.

“We have a picture upstairs in the engineering department of guys slinging concrete in wheelbarrows. It’s just an old picture from the early 1900s,” said Elliot.

He is unsure if that photo shows work being done on the existing viaduct, but figures the enclosed channel, part of which runs under Wellington, west of John Street, dates to at least the 1940s or 1950s.

Elliot said if you walk along the sidewalk on the south side of that stretch of Wellington, you’re walking on the lid of the aqueduct.

With today’s announcement of over $20-million in combined funding from the provincial and federal governments, the aqueduct will be replaced in phases over the next seven years.

Phase 1 between Queen Street and Albert Street, is already complete, with phase 7 slated for completion by 2020.

Total cost of the project is expected to be over $30-million, with the city responsible for the remainder of funding.

Elliot figures about half of the total funding — or about $15-million — will go toward labour for the project.

Funds were made possible through the Small Communities Fund, by which municipalities apply to the federal government for infrastructure projects, which are prioritized by the provincial government.

“David (Orazietti) and I and the city recognize this is a huge priority project for Sault Ste. Marie and funding of this magnitude does not come along that often,” said Bryan Hayes, MP for Sault Ste. Marie," said MP Bryan Hayes.

MPP Orazietti agreed the project is not a sexy one, but controlling and managing flood waters in the community is vitally important.

“It’s one of those things residents expect to be in place, don’t necessarily want to know about it or see it, but we need it there in case of significant weather events.”

The following is a news release from the Ontario government:

Project approved under the Small Communities Fund

Residents of Sault Ste. Marie will benefit from the Fort Creek Aqueduct Replacement thanks to joint funding from the Governments of Canada and Ontario through the Small Communities Fund.

This project includes the full demolition, reconstruction and reinforcement of aqueducts and channels to contain and control flood waters in high flow events. Construction will also include waterproofing the structure for longevity and full restoration of above ground surface works, thus greatly reducing the risk of flooding and helping to protect the health and well-being of local residents.

The $1-billion Small Communities Fund provides funding for priority public infrastructure projects that deliver on local needs. Canada and Ontario will each provide $272 million to support projects in communities across the province with fewer than 100,000 residents. This funding will help address local priorities, supporting job creation and economic growth, thus sustaining a high quality of life in small communities across Ontario for years to come.

QUICK FACTS

• The Government of Canada will provide up to $10,420,000 through the Small Communities Fund for this project.

• The Province of Ontario will contribute up to $10,420,000 to this project.

• The City of Sault Ste. Marie will be responsible for all remaining costs of the project.

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(PHOTO: MP Bryan Hayes and MPP David Orazietti check out a map of the Fort Creek Aqueduct at this morning's announcement. Kenneth Armstrong/SooToday)