Government of Canada announces start of work to ensure safety of La Romaine residents and safe transportation of goods at La Romaine wharf

OTTAWA, June 27, 2018 /CNW/ - Transport Canada has announced that repairs began on the Romaine wharf on June 22 and are progressing well. Container traffic on the wharf has resumed.

The wharf will remain operational throughout the work, but access will be restricted to ensure the safety of workers, who will carry out repairs under the wharf. Passengers will have access to the wharf when the Bella Desgagnés arrives.

Transport Canada will have security guards on site to ensure passengers embark and disembark safely.

However, the mooring bollards will stay out of service until the repairs are completed. Transport Canada expects the work to be completed by July 11.

The delivery of petroleum products by boat is now expected between July 5 and 10.

Transport Canada is cooperating with all the parties involved to ensure that the repairs are done quickly and to mitigate the impact on local residents.

Quote

"I want to repeat to the people of La Romaine that transportation safety and security are my top priority. I am especially concerned about this situation, and my department is sparing no effort to ensure that life returns to normal as quickly as possible for local residents."

The Honourable Marc Garneau
Minister of Transport

Quick facts

• Work was done on the wharf in fall 2017, and Transport Canada announced that additional work would be needed in 2018. The Department issued a call for tenders, and the repair work was scheduled for this summer.
• Public Services and Procurement Canada carried out an inspection on May 30, 2018 after the ice melted, which revealed that winter storms had damaged the wharf even more. On June 6, 2018, Transport Canada issued restrictions to navigation and operations at La Romaine wharf, to ensure the safety of both passengers and workers. As a result, part of the wharf and three mooring bollards were condemned.

SOURCE Transport Canada