Randle Reef project partners welcome news of three important contracts being awarded

News Release

July 17, 2015 – Hamilton, Ontario

Today, the partners involved in the Randle Reef sediment remediation project are pleased to celebrate an important step forward with the awarding of three major contracts. These awards will allow the project to advance within the budget envelope, without compromising its environmental goals.

The Stage One Construction contract was awarded to McNally Construction Inc. The first stage of the project includes constructing the engineered containment facility (ECF) into which the contaminated sediment will later be placed. The contract for the reconstruction of an adjacent harbour wall, which is in poor condition and therefore necessary to allow dredging of contaminated sediments in Stage two of the project, was awarded by the Hamilton Port Authority to Dean Construction Co. Ltd. of LaSalle, ON. Work to re‑construct the harbour wall is expected to begin in September.

The Engineering Services contract was awarded to Riggs Engineering Ltd. They will work closely with the construction company and provide civil engineering services for the supervision of Stage One Construction. Preparations for ECF construction, including the development of a detailed project schedule, will begin later this year.

Quick Facts

Randle Reef is an area of contaminated sediment located in Hamilton Harbour that is approximately 60 hectares (120 football fields) in size.
The clean-up project is estimated at $138.9 million. It involves constructing an engineered containment facility, approximately 6 hectares (14 acres) in size, to contain the most highly contaminated sediments at the site, while lesser contaminated sediments will be capped in place using in situ capping. In total, the project will safely address approximately 695,000 cubic metres of sediment contaminated with coal tar (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) and heavy metals.
Over the seven-year life of the project (2015-2022), approximately 60 local jobs will be created.
Environment Canada is leading the clean-up project in partnership with the Province of Ontario, the City of Hamilton, the City of Burlington, Halton Region, the Hamilton Port Authority, and U. S. Steel Canada. As the project lead, Environment Canada has engaged Public Works and Government Services Canada as the contracting authority and project manager for this project.
In 1985, Hamilton Harbour was identified as an Area of Concern under the Canada‑United States Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement. While many improvements have been made to reduce pollution in the harbour, the problem of contaminated sediments remains.

Quotes

“The Randle Reef sediment remediation project is part of the Government of Canada’s comprehensive approach to ensure clean water for Canadians. We are very pleased to see this important clean-up project moving ahead and look forward to construction beginning later in 2015.”

─ The Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of the Environment, Minister of the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency and Minister for the Arctic Council

“A lot of hard work has gone into cleaning up Hamilton Harbour over the years—and in particular, to making today happen. Cleaning up the contaminated sediment at Randle Reef is the final step in solving a historical problem, and important to the future of our communities’ waterfront.”

─ David Sweet, Member of Parliament for Ancaster — Dundas — Flamborough — Westdale

“Through the successful completion of this project, families in and around the Burlington area will benefit from significant improvements to the environment, health and economy.”

─ Mike Wallace, Member of Parliament for Burlington

“This is a major step forward in the project to cap and contain contaminated sediment in Hamilton Harbour leftover from past industrial activity. Cleaning up Randle Reef brings us closer to our shared vision of improved water quality and restored health of the harbour’s natural habitat.”

─ Ted McMeekin, Member of Provincial Parliament for Ancaster — Dundas — Flamborough —Westdale, on behalf of Glen Murray, Ontario’s Minister of the Environment and Climate Change

“I acknowledge the work of so many stakeholders who have committed to remediation and de-listing of the Randle Reef site. The City of Hamilton recognizes the value in moving forward with the project’s first phase now that the re-tendering process is complete.”

─ Fred Eisenberger, Mayor, City of Hamilton

“Burlington is proud to be a part of a government and private sector team that shares the common belief that cleaning up the Hamilton Harbour is a joint responsibility and the right thing to do. Preserving our natural environment is something we take very seriously in Burlington.”

─ Rick Goldring, Mayor, City of Burlington

“By taking on the reconstruction of the dock wall, Hamilton Port Authority is furthering its commitment to move the Randle Reef project forward. We’re pleased to bring our marine engineering expertise to the table.”

─ Bruce Wood, President & CEO, Hamilton Port Authority