Souris causeway to get major erosion protection

A major fix is in the works to protect the Souris causeway from ocean erosion, says P.E.I. Transportation Minister Paula Biggar in a written release.

• Souris causeway not in immediate danger: chief engineer
• Souris causeway damage leads to calls for permanent fix

The province has shown the draft plans for a protective wall to Souris town council and is seeking its approval before beginning construction.

"Souris causeway is a vital piece of our transportation network and government is proposing environmentally-responsible measures that will protect this road," said Biggar.

Major erosion of the shoreline during a mid-January storm had local politicians raising alarms and transportation officials taking a close look at the problem.

"Climate change is making severe storm events more frequent, so this kind of protection is very important for our critical infrastructure," Biggar added.

The proposed measures involve a 220-metre protective wall made of hemlock, a wood that naturally resists decay. The wall will be protected by a layer of sandstone.

Dunes not affected

"The nearby dune system will not be directly impacted by this construction," the release said.

The system was designed with input from experts including an oceanographer familiar with the movement of sand and water in the Souris area.

"We recognize that this road and the beach adjoining it are very important to residents of Souris, so we have offered the council the chance to see our proposal and offer their support before we proceed with construction."

The release does not say how much the project will cost, although Transportation official Stephen Yeo has previously said it would be in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. He also said the province has completed similar projects in Alberton and Tignish to protect roads from erosion.

Biggar did say "the investment is a fiscally-responsible way to make sure that a main route to eastern Prince Edward Island is protected from the impact of storms and of climate change."

Government has spent about $9 million on replacement of the Souris bridge over the past couple of years.

"I intend to see that we take all reasonable steps to ensure that investment is protected for years to come," she said.

With community support, construction of the new seawall could begin before spring, the province said.