Niagara Parks Invests over $3 million for Black Creek Bridge Replacement

Niagara Parks Invests over $3 million for Black Creek Bridge Replacement

Niagara Falls, ON – Niagara Parks will be investing over $3 million to replace the Black Creek Bridge along the South Niagara Parkway, with preliminary investigation work currently underway and construction set to begin on Monday, November 20, 2023, through to Friday, April 26, 2024.

Originally constructed in 1911 and rehabilitated in 1994, the Black Creek Bridge is a stone-faced bridge located along the South Niagara Parkway in Fort Erie that is owned and maintained by Niagara Parks. With the bridge approaching the end of its lifecycle, Niagara Parks has prioritized its replacement. Niagara Parks will be working with contractor Rankin Construction to undertake the bridge replacement project that aims to conserve the heritage value of the bridge, while increasing the clearance height for boats and improving visibility and the overall safety of surrounding intersections.

Niagara Parks held a virtual public information centre to present potential options for the replacement of the bridge and provide an opportunity for input from the community. Based on feedback gathered, Niagara Parks’ Engineering team adopted a design approach that prioritized a number of goals and considerations for the project, including presenting a fiscally responsible solution that would increase the navigable height for boats by 18 inches, minimize impacts to viewpoints of the Niagara River or the surrounding environment, conserve the heritage value, provide continued access to Black Creek Road from the Niagara Parkway, including for emergency services, as well as improve roadway and intersection alignment.

Preliminary investigations and assessments at the site are currently underway, which will not impact public access. Construction is set to begin Monday, November 20, which will require a road closure of the Niagara Parkway at Black Creek Bridge until construction is completed in the spring of 2024. Temporary detours around the work site will be established for the duration of the project.

Quotes

“Niagara Parks is proud to invest in this important project to replace the Black Creek Bridge along the South Niagara Parkway,” said Niagara Parks Chair April Jeffs. “This is a critical piece of infrastructure for Niagara Parks and the surrounding communities. Public feedback and input have been incorporated into the final design, which we feel will significantly improve conditions for drivers, pedestrians and boaters in this area.”

Photo assets are available here.

About Niagara Parks 

​Since its establishment in 1885, Niagara Parks has remained a self-financed agency of the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport, entrusted to preserve and protect the land surrounding Niagara Falls and the Niagara River. Today, Niagara Parks boasts gardens, a horticulture school, recreation, golf courses, restaurants, heritage and historic sites, gift shops and, of course, Niagara Falls. In short, natural landscapes, history, family fun, hiking, culinary delights, attractions and adventure. 

​For more information, please visit niagaraparks.com or contact: 

​Katy Wassenaar, Manager, Public Affairs
kwassenaar@niagaraparks.com
(905) 356-2241 ext. 2224 

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