‘I would have thought it would have been finished, done and dusted at this stage’: Unanticipated work on Springbank Dam closes portion of Thames Valley Parkway

Springbank dam will be closed down for the entire summer. (Bryan Bicknell/CTV News London)

It is a favourite pastime of Londoners and visitors alike. But now anyone walking or cycling one of the most picturesque stretches of the Thames Valley Parkway is about to get stopped in their tracks.

“Well, it’s disappointing. I take this path almost every day. I really love it. It’s beautiful down here. It’s nice to get out for a little bit,” said Kori Robinson.

The TVP user was expressing disappointment that the parkway section that runs through Springbank Park in London’s west end is about to get shut down for the entire summer and most of the fall.

The closure is so construction crews can begin the next phase of work to decommission Springbank Dam.

“It’s basically this lower section of TVP that’s closed. The section that takes you down beside the dam. But then, we have a detour route set up through Springbank Park,” explained Shawna Chambers, Division Manager of Stormwater Engineering for the city.

The stretch of TVP between the Springbank pumphouse and the northeast corner of the parking lot is already fenced and marked with signage for the project. It will be closed to all users as of Monday.

“We’ve been rerouted around it for the better part of last year, and I would have thought it would have been finished, done and dusted at this stage. But it seems to be revving up again,” lamented TVP user Des De Salaiez.

While the summer work schedule is proving unpopular among TVP users, some are glad to see the last days of the dam, including retired nurse and nature lover, Carol Verwolf.

“Ecologically it’s for the good,” said Verwolf. “We have seen changes in the water’s clarity, and the wildlife that has come back. The fish as well. And so, that’s a great thing for what’s happened to this river,” she added.

Construction crews will work to take out the gates, which are still submerged in the Thames River. But now, they must also remove the concrete deck along the top, which is in worse condition that anyone anticipated. This was discovered during work that began last year. Once it’s finished, the only thing left of the dam will be its concrete pillars.

Removing the concrete deck adds $1.65 million to the cost of the project, which now totals $6 million, according to Chambers.

“It was either to spend a million dollars for five years of life, or to spend 1.6 million dollars to make it last over 15 years,” she said.

“Once this work is done, this area is going to be very safe and river will be safe moving forward. So, it’s really important work to remove that concrete deck, and remove the gates now,” Chambers added.

The affected section of the TVP will be closed from July 7 until December 11.