Skerryvore Community Road Culvert Replacement and Road Resurfacing

TOWNSHIP OF
ARCHIPELAGO

12 km
ROAD UNDER
CONSTRUCTION

65%
REDUCTION IN SPECIES AT RISK MANAGEMENT COSTS

In 2020 and 2021, Tatham was contracted by the Township of Archipelago to replace deteriorating culverts and complete road resurfacing along Skerryvore Community Road, which adjoins two provincially significant wetlands and a wetland conservation reserve. Tatham contacted Michalski Nielsen Associates Limited to provide construction mitigation recommendations to protect the pristine wetlands and the species at risk.

In August 2020, before construction activity commenced, Georgian Bay Biosphere Reserve (GBBR) and Shawanaga First Nation began monitoring the road and collected snake eggs and over 1000 baby turtles from 40 nests along the gravel shoulders. Together with GBBR, the Township, Shawanaga First Nation, and Hall Construction, Tatham was invited to help release the baby turtles at a ceremony recognizing the turtle’s important part in indigenous history as an icon representing life.

Working closely with GBBR and Shawanaga First Nation to ensure species at risk and other wildlife were protected, a total of 14 CSP culverts, ranging in size from 1200mm to 2000mm in diameter were replaced later in 2020, followed by road resurfacing in 2021.