Crews with the City of Hamilton have started making emergency repairs to trails and roadways as high water levels and persistent rain continue to wreak havoc.
Heavy equipment is expected to be deployed to the Breezeway trail near the Burlington lift bridge as well as the Waterfront trail in the coming days.
Manager of Parks & Cemeteries, Kara Bunn says engineers are currently developing a plan to deal with what appears to be significant damage.
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“In some areas we’ll need to add more rock and shoring, in some areas we have to cut the asphalt and repave it and rebuild the walkway” she said.
The Waterfront trail, in particular, has been heavily impacted according to Bunn who says parts of the beach strip have either eroded or disappeared due to overwhelming water levels in Lake Ontario.
Debris is another major concern that Bunn said her staff have been actively trying to resolve.
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Considerations are now being made to bring on a contractor to help the city get a better grip on what has turned into a continuous issue.
“We’re looking at the areas that are the worst right now and trying to stabilize them and then keeping an eye on all the other areas that have potential to be affected next” Bunn states.
At this point, the Waterfront Trail is closed to pedestrian traffic as are sections of the Breezeway.
Roads are also feeling the impact of the wet weather.
WATCH: Heavy downpours cause flash flooding in Hamilton area last night
Crews are working to clear rocks and roots from overhanging trees on the east leg of the Sherman Access.
York Road is yet another closure where a collapsed culvert is being reconstructed, with a re-open date of June 5.
The City of Hamilton is also striving to prevent basement flooding in lakeside neighbourhoods.
This has meant pumping water off roads like Beach Boulevard.
City estimates place repairs at a cost of $2-million but assert, there are unknowns that could change that number.
Residents are being advised to be cautious near bodies of water at this time and be aware of possible hazards caused by high winds and rain.
A full list of closures can be found at hamilton.ca.
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