The Town of Lakeshore is considering turning a functional investment in a new jetty at the mouth of the Belle River into a recreational one that would extend 150 metres out into Lake St. Clair.
The jetty, which would be 125 metres longer than what exists, could be topped with a boardwalk between 2.4 and 4.4 metres wide.
“I’d like to see the boardwalk plan carried right through,” Lakeshore Mayor Tom Bain said. “It ties in nicely to the top–notch facilities we already have there. It’s a matter of completing the picture.”
Bain said the town has already invested more than $3-million in the waterfront park and marina.
Council received a report from Landmark Engineering at Tuesday’s meeting. It suggested that by double-walling the jetty it would also extend the breakwall’s life from 10 to 20 years to more than 50 years.
A bare bones extension of a double-walled jetty, without a boardwalk, is estimated to cost $700,000 to $800,000 plus another $120,000 for an environmental assessment.
The Belle River breakwall is seen on Oct. 27, 2015 in Belle River, Ont
A jetty with a boardwalk with accompanying shade structures and recreational furniture would add $120,000 to $170,000 to the project.
Bain said he’d like to see the project completed in a year, but admits he’s frustrated with the piles of paperwork required from the endless list of governmental agencies.
“I’m disappointed in the resistance to working with us ahead of submitting a final project,” Bain said. “It’ll probably take a couple of years.”
Landmark Engineering president Dan Krutcsh said the longer breakwall would improve safety at the beach by providing more separation from swimmers and boats, improve water quality by directing the river’s flow further out into the lake and better protect against silting at the river’s mouth.
Krutcsh said the project could be completed in phases to lessen the financial pain.
“I would recommend no more than two or three phases,” Krutsch said. “It’s more cost effective to do it in fewer phases.”
Council also received a report from Keystone Bridge Management Corp. that revealed it’ll cost $3.8 million to maintain the town’s collection of 102 bridges and 11 culverts over the next 15 years.
However, the town’s infrastructure was found to be in good repair.
The report recommends setting aside $465,000 per year starting in 2017 to cover the rising long-term costs that will be incurred.
After 2030, between $500,000 and $700,000 will be required annually to fund the necessary repairs and new construction.
