Cape Breton Highlands National ParkFederal Infrastructure Investment Program and Conservation and Restoration ProgramTotal Estimated Funding: $6.1 million

Cape Breton Highlands National Park      

Cape Breton Highlands National Park is known for its spectacular highlands and ocean scenery, steep cliffs and deep river canyons carved into a forested plateau bordering the Atlantic Ocean. One third of the Cabot Trail, a world-famous scenic highway, runs through the national park. The park offers over 400 front country and back country camping sites in seven campgrounds. Campers can choose from remote sites with tent pads in the back country, to fully serviced RV and traditional tenting sites, or hassle-free comfort camping, such as one of our oTENTiks. The national park’s 26 hiking trails range from easy strolls to challenging climbs with panoramic views of canyons, highlands and seacoasts.

Federal Conservation and Restoration Funding

Project name: Clyburn Salmon Recovery

Estimated total: $972,000

Project description: This project aims to increase the population of at-risk wild salmon and restore the aquatic ecosystem of the Clyburn River in Cape Breton Highlands National Park. Parks Canada’s ecological integrity monitoring program along the Clyburn River has shown a decline of the Atlantic salmon population to fewer than 10 adults, which is an unsustainable level. The salmon population has been assessed as endangered by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) since 2010.

This funding will go towards a number of activities, including carrying out research on Atlantic salmon to estimate population size at different life stages. Scientists and conservationists will map available salmon habitat, conduct genetic analysis to better understand diversity within and across Park rivers, and implement a strategy to increase the number of spawning adult salmon on the Clyburn River. To maintain the conservation requirement for the Clyburn River, a project goal is to increase the number of adult spawning salmon. Parks Canada will evaluate and adapt proven methods in endangered salmon restoration and will monitor the population to determine the project’s success.

This initiative in Cape Breton Highlands is part of a multi-national park five-year study. National Parks across Atlantic Canada are each home to a different population of Atlantic salmon with a varying species-at-risk status. Fundy, Cape Breton Highlands, Gros Morne and Kouchibouguac national parks have the opportunity to study the impacts of conservation actions across a range of different populations at each site simultaneously. By collaborating on conservation actions and ecological monitoring measures, this work will help inform future decisions on effective conservation actions for preventing populations from becoming endangered.

Parks Canada is a recognized leader in conservation and takes actions to preserve national parks and contribute to the recovery of species-at-risk.

Federal Infrastructure Investment Funding

Project Name: Effies Brook Bridge Replacement

Total Estimated Cost: $5.1 million

Project Description: This project includes the full replacement of Effies Brook Bridge, located on the Cabot Trail at the junction with White Point Road between Neil’s Harbour and South Harbour in Cape Breton Highlands National Park. Work includes the construction of a new 35.4 metre single span concrete bridge including road realignment.

Having reached the end of its useful life, initial project work on the bridge began in May 2018, with the full bridge replacement expected to be complete in July 2019. Once in place, the new bridge will provide a sustainable structure for the local community and visitors for the next 75 years. It will help facilitate a safe, high-quality traveling experience for visitors exploring the Cabot Trail in Cape Breton Highlands National Park. Additionally, this new structure will help minimize annual maintenance requirements for Parks Canada.

Through infrastructure investments, Parks Canada is protecting and conserving our national treasures, while supporting local economies and contributing to growth in the tourism sector.

Federal Infrastructure Investment Project Completion

Project Name: Cabot Trail Road Improvements and Bridge Replacements

Project Description: These projects include Cabot Trail realignment in Cape Breton Highlands National Park near Corney Brook and road work on sections of North Mountain, French Mountain to MacKenzie Mountain and Pleasant Bay. A number of culverts have been replaced to support road sustainability, while ensuring improvement of passage for aquatic species. These projects also include numerous bridge replacements including Grand Anse Bridge, Neil's Brook Bridge, North Aspy River Bridge and Clyburn Brook Bridge, among others. In many cases, where complete road reconstruction was necessary, Parks Canada created sections of paved shoulders to improve access and safety for cyclists. The work to both the bridge and road realignments will ensure a safe, high-quality traveling experience for locals and visitors. These projects have either been recently completed or will be complete for the 2019 visitor season.

Project Name: Visitor facility upgrades (day use areas, parking lots and campgrounds)

Projects description: A number of improvements have been made to a variety of visitor areas including: the Skyline Trail parking lot, upgrades to washroom facilities throughout the park, and the relocation of the Big Intervale day use area and campground to accommodate the realigned bridge and for ease of visitor access. These improvements will ensure the quality and reliability of visitor facilities and continue to allow Canadians to connect with nature. These projects have either been recently completed or will be complete for the 2019 visitor season.

* Please note that the sum of individual project values may not equal the grand total indicated at the top of this document due to standard rounding errors.

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