The provincial government has presented Souris Council with draft plans for work that will protect Souris causeway from ocean erosion, says Transportation, Infrastructure and Energy Minister Paula Biggar.
“Souris causeway is a vital piece of our transportation network and government is proposing environmentally-responsible measures that will protect this road. Climate change is making severe storm events more frequent, so this kind of protection is very important for our critical infrastructure,” said Minister Biggar.
“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 proposed anti-erosion measures involve a 220 metre protective wall made of hemlock – a wood that naturally resists decay. This wall will be protected by a layer of sandstone. The nearby dune system will not be directly impacted by this construction. The system was designed with input from experts including an oceanographer familiar with the movement of sand and water in the Souris area.
Minister Biggar said 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.
“Over the past couple of years, our government has spent roughly $9 million on replacement of the Souris bridge. I intend to see that we take all reasonable steps to ensure that investment is protected for years to come,” she said.
Construction of the new seawall could begin before spring, with community support.