Technical experts hired for another run at boat ramps

Engineers were expected back on the scene this week trying to figure out what to do about Sarnia’s stalled boat launch ramps on Sarnia Bay.

Engineers were expected back on the scene this week trying to figure out what to do about Sarnia’s stalled boat launch ramps on Sarnia Bay.

City staff met recently with the contractor, Bre-X Construction, and contract administrator, Golder Associates, to discuss the problem. They agreed “additional investigation was needed to address the conditions encountered onsite,” operations manager Bryan Prouse said in an update for council.

Bre-Ex has since contracted a geotechnical engineering firm to conduct fieldwork and do an analysis.

It will be a few weeks before the results are known, the update said.

All previous attempts to build cofferdams to hold back water in Sarnia Bay and allow dock construction have been unsuccessful.

The city announced in August of 2016 it was beginning work on a new boat ramp beside Dockside restaurant, but said it would continue to operate the old Sarnia Bay boat launches until the new one was complete.

However, the old launches were pulled out in January to facilitate park reconstruction, a move that has frustrated anglers and recreational boaters.