Boring under the Saugeen River

Town Council(continued)

Dave Burnside, head of Saugeen Shores Engineering Department, brought a request to council Monday night to approve a horizontal bore under the Saugeen River.

The river is the only barrier that stands between the south side and north side of Southampton and has prevented the delivery of services to the north.

Burnside has recommended that the project be tendered out in two parts, the first for the horizontal bore and, if successful, the second part for a utility conduit under the river adjacent to the Chesley Boat Launch.

Burnside explained that the conduit would be 12 feet below the river bed and, if the north shore sewer project goes ahead, it could used as a sewage forcemain. If the project does not go ahead, then he said that the conduit could be used as a watermain loop, a telecommunication corridor or both. "There are two watermain loops running across the bridge but, if for any reason the bridge is closed, we should have an alternative. It's looking forward to the future."

Councillor Fred Shildroth asked if it were possible to make it big enough for all three uses. Burnside said that it would be extremely difficult to have a conduit big enough to accommodate all three.

(next column)

29/09/2009 09:22 PM

 Councillor Victoria Serda said that she had had discussion with Southampton resident, Mike Sterling, and she said that he had expressed considerable concern about running a conduit under the river bed. "I don't fully understand, but I think perhaps you [Burnside] should speak with him before proceeding with this. He was quite concerned about the environmental consequences."

"The exploratory bore will not be undertaken until regulatory approvals are received from the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Saugeen Valley Conservation Authority," Burnside pointed out.

According to Burnside's report, the request before council was for an approval for the preparation of the design for the horizontal bore and the issuing of a tender. The project has been costed at $250,000.

Ed Note: 

In speaking with Mike Sterling today he is not concerned with the environmental impact "as long as the core samples show a stable clay or other base without evidence of sheer forces from past movements". 

"Going under rivers is a common practice" says Sterling.  He is interested in the engineering and as long as an experienced firm is hired and good samples are taken, he has "no concerns"

He also noted that "making sure that pumping equipment is kept secure and clear from ice movement in case of an ice dam at the mouth of the river is important."  He recalled the 1977 ice dam that "almost removed the bridge and the more recent ice dam at Durham" He also noted that "Going under the river is a better choice than using the bridge as a conduit for sewers"
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