Q&A Healey Falls Locks Valve Tunnel Rehabilitation

The Healey Falls lock system at Locks 16 and 17 was originally constructed more than a century ago. Over the years, some concrete has become worn and mechanical parts have become due for replacement.

This project will rehabilitate the valve tunnels for Healey Falls Locks 16 and 17 and replace six existing cylindrical valves for the locks. Once this project is complete, Healey Falls will have fully rehabilitated valve tunnels and new lock valves, which are the primary operational components of a lock. This work will provide reliable lock operation at Healey Falls for the next 50 years and beyond, ensuring safe, reliable navigation operations at this lock site.

This renewal work is being completed as part of the most extensive federal infrastructure plan in the history of Parks Canada.

Since 2015, the Government of Canada is investing $4.3 billion to support infrastructure work in Parks Canada places to ensure safe, high-quality experiences for visitors by improving heritage, visitor, waterway, and highway assets located within national historic sites, national parks, and national marine conservation areas.

As part of this funding, approximately $74 million over three years was announced in March 2023 for the Trent-Severn Waterway National Historic Site for priority projects to support critical repairs and upgrades to several locks and dams. Through this federal investment – part of the $557 million in funding announced by the Government of Canada in late 2022 – Parks Canada will conserve the heritage value of these important cultural resources.

Investments in visitor infrastructure at Parks Canada’s treasured places will ensure the quality and reliability of visitor facilities and permit Canadians to continue to connect with nature. Parks Canada makes every effort to minimize disruptions to visitors and businesses during the short construction season in Canada’s northern climate and safety is always a top priority.

Area residents may observe some trucks travelling to and from the site while the work is in progress. To facilitate the movement of these trucks, minimal, sporadic delays may be required for vehicles travelling in the area. Minimal noise impacts are expected for residents in the area.

Mud mats will be installed and maintained at the entrance to all municipal roads or waterway crossings. Regular sweeping, vacuuming or washing will be completed on municipal roads impacted by the project, along with application of a dust suppressant as required.

Community members are advised that this area is considered an active construction site seven days a week. Until the work is complete, the public is asked to obey all signage and exercise caution near the site due to ongoing construction safety risks.

This project is scheduled to be completed prior to the opening of the 2023 navigation season. As such, the concrete work and valve replacement taking place at the Healey Falls Locks should not affect the travel of boats through Locks 16 and 17.

Information about this or any ongoing, major works along the Trent-Severn Waterway can be found at parks.canada.ca/TSWInfrastructure. To receive updates about this project by mail, subscribe by reaching out to trentsevern@pc.gc.ca. Or, follow on Twitter or Facebook.