By Pam Wright
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Work on the Thames River slope stabilization project in downtown Chatham is set to begin.
The upgrade was given the official greenlight recently when Chatham-Kent council approved a tender from Clarke Construction for $6,474,900 to do the work.
In addition, Montrose Environmental Solutions Canada Inc. will receive $457,870 for engineering services related to species at risk, contract administration and inspection and for assisting First Nations participation regarding the slope stabilization.
According to a report from C-K engineering, approximately 330 metres of steel retaining wall and quarried rock will be installed between the Third and Fifth Street bridges.
In addition to the riverbank work, the project will see upgrades to the existing storm sewer outfall at Kent Street. A new concrete pathway and railing will be also be installed to improve access to parks and parking in a broader effort to revitalize the riverfront.
Engineering director Marissa Mascaro-Amyotte said fixing the slope is part of the municipality’s ongoing efforts to mitigate flooding and provide shoreline protection.
However, the timing of the work did raise some questions from council. The slope upgrade is taking place near the site of the homeless encampment that has existed in Rotary Park downtown for the past year. Because of the upcoming work, people in the encampment were told to leave, prompting some of them to relocate to the Chatham water treatment plant on Grand Avenue East.
North Kent Coun. Rhonda Jubenville asked why the work was being done now.
In response, Mascaro-Amyotte said the project is time sensitive, noting permits from other levels of government were needed in order for it to proceed.
In 2019, Chatham-Kent was awarded funding from the federal government under the Disaster Mitigation and Disaster Fund. Under the program, C-K will receive $16,575,200 over 10 years, which started in 2019. The grant program is a cost-sharing program with the municipality required to contribute 60 per cent of costs for a project and the federal government the remaining 40 per cent.
An environmental assessment of the area was carried out in 2023, the report said.
The slope stabilization work is slated for completion in spring 2026.
