Community Update: Stone Masonry Repairs to Begin

Old Slys Lock 26

October 16, 2018 – During the week of October 15th, the contractor will begin to mobilize to site in order to rehabilitate Old Slys Locks 26 and 27 on the Rideau Canal National Historic Site. This project will be completed in two phases during the non-navigation season, and is expected to finish in spring 2020.

During the week of October 29th, work will begin with the installation of the cofferdam – a temporary dam used to create a dry in-water work space. In order to facilitate this work, Old Slys Road will be reduced to one lane intermittently. Flag staff will be onsite to control traffic during this time.

During the first phase, repairs will be undertaken on the masonry outside of the chamber of both lock 26 and 27. Repairs will include stone replacement, repointing, and grouting. Work will also be completed on the stop log gains, and the west wall excavation. The second phase, scheduled to begin in fall 2019, will focus on repairs to heritage stone masonry within both locks and the sluice tunnels.

This project is part of Parks Canada’s unprecedented $3 billion dollar investment over 5 years to support infrastructure work to heritage, visitor, waterway and highway assets located within national historic sites, national parks, and national marine conservation areas across Canada. These historic investments will mitigate health and safety risks, halt the loss of nationally significant built heritage and stimulate the economy in communities across the country.

About Old Slys Locks

This site’s namesake is William Sly, a settler who began developing the area in the early 1800’s. In the late 1820s, construction of the locks began. Plans were later modified to increase the size of the lock to accommodate large steamboats in the early 1830s. At this time, the dam was also raised by three feet and a waste weir was included in the plans to improve water management at the site.

For More Information:

For up-to-date news on infrastructure work along the Rideau Canal, please visit our website: www.pc.gc.ca/rcInfrastructure. If you would like to be added to our community engagement list to receive updates on this project, please email RideauCanal.info@pc.gc.ca and include “Old Slys” in the subject line.