Infrastructure program

Parks Canada has invested an unprecedented $3 billion over five years to modernize its heritage infrastructure, visitor facilities, and waterway and highway assets located within national historic sites, national parks and national marine conservation areas across Canada.

This historic investment supports conservation while improving the overall visitor experience and the safety and appeal of our infrastructure.

Work at the Carillon Canal lock

Between 2014 and 2017, a number of projects were carried out to enhance safety for lock employees and users. This work included improved protections around operating machinery, the installation of safety devices in the mechanical shafts and major lighting upgrades. Concrete resurfacing of the deck and various landings was also carried out, and protections were added for mechanical and electrical equipment to enhance overall site safety. 

In 2019, concrete repairs were made to the lock chamber, and the deck railings were fully replaced to meet safety standards. An inspection conducted in September 2019 revealed significant damage, namely recurrent knocking caused by an inadequate water pressure management system. 

To halt the progression of the damage, temporary repairs were performed in July 2020, enabling navigation operations to continue without interruption. Preventive maintenance measures, such as system lubrication and frequent visual inspections, were implemented simultaneously to ensure safety until major repairs could be completed.

In 2023, heavy mechanical work was undertaken on Carillon’s vertical gate support system, which had become obsolete. This work consisted of rehabilitating the system and ensuring the long-term reliability of lock operations.

In 2024, all of the repair work was completed. This included replacing the structural components of the vertical gate with more robust, high-performance systems. These improvements have corrected problems related to the original design, prevented future deterioration of the components and optimized the use of the vertical gate. The structure now requires less maintenance, with enhanced durability for years to come.

Plan your visit

When visiting Carillon Canal National Historic Site, you may encounter construction zones or reduced services as work continues. Please plan ahead to avoid any inconvenience. Consult the Info-Work page to see if infrastructure improvements might have an impact on your experience. 

A commitment to lively, vibrant canals

Throughout these projects, Parks Canada will work with its partners to ensure that Quebec’s historic canals reach their full potential as lively and vibrant places to benefit the community and heritage preservation.