Retention pond made safer
Jersey barriers and guardrails, among other safety installations, were put in last week by the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation around the retention pond. Steve Bonspiel The Eastern Door
Last week, the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation made the installation of jersey barriers, guardrails, orange reflecting signage, and other safety elements near the retention pond, located on River Road between the Town Garage and the Town Rink.
The installation came as a part of the continued push by the Mohawk Council of Kahnawake (MCK) to make the infrastructure safer, especially on and around roadways in town.
Nicole Giroux-Laplante, media relations and communications manager for the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation, said in a statement to The Eastern Door that the installation came as a result of discussion with the MCK on how to make the areas in town around the Seaway safer, particularly the retention pond.
“The goal of this installation is to enhance public safety and reduce the risk of unauthorized access to the area,” said Giroux-Laplante.
The area around the retention pond was already fenced off, but the barriers were added in front of the fences by the side of the road to add an extra layer of protection. These sorts of barriers are frequently used to prevent vehicles from accessing areas they should not go to, Giroux-Laplante explained.
“Jersey barriers were selected as a permanent solution because they are commonly used in roadside settings and help protect against accidental vehicle departures from the roadway,” said Giroux-Laplante.
MCK chief Arnold Boyer, who is the lead on the infrastructure, transport, and operations file, said that the request to make the area safer was made in 2022, during his first term at the council table.
“We asked for it, to make this area more secure for vehicles and for people, because of the tragedy that happened,” said Boyer.
The tragedy Boyer is referring to came in 2019, when Keron Canadian lost his life after an accident in the area.
Boyer said that these installations will help prevent another incident like this from happening again.
He also added that the Seaway Corporation would be footing the bill for the entire operation - in fact, it was Seaway contractors, and not Public Works, that took care of the installation last week, confirmed Boyer.
“We continue to work collaboratively with the MCK and Public Works to promote safety in the area,” said Giroux-Laplante.
As to why it took more than five years for the Seaway to add these safeguards, Boyer could only point the finger to the usual reasons - bureaucracy, and turnover of whoever was on the file on the side of the Seaway.
“The government takes time to do things,” said Boyer.
This is not the only safety project that the MCK and the Seaway Corporation will be collaborating on in the near future, according to him.
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Boyer made a request for a pedestrian bridge to access Tekakwitha Island, taking pedestrians and cyclists away from motor vehicle traffic, particularly during big events.
“We will push them again to get this done,” said Boyer.
