Randal Reef clean up delayed to 2027 over structural issue

The federal government says Randal Reef's clean-up is delayed to 2027 to repair a structural issue; officials report the contaminated sediment inside the containment structure is held in place.

The federal government announced the completion of the Randal Reef clean-up in Hamilton Harbour will be delayed by a couple of years because of a structural issue that must be repaired. Work on containing and treating contaminated sediment at the site began in 2015 and had been expected to finish in 2025. Officials say the sediment inside the containment structure is currently contained and that work will resume once repairs are completed. The project follows decades of studies and a cost-sharing agreement among governments and local partners. Key details: - A Canada Water Agency spokesperson, Joseph Péloquin-Hopfner, said the timeline has been extended to 2027 while a structural issue is addressed. - Officials reported that all contaminated sediment is contained inside the on-site structure and that water removed from the containment has been treated and returned. - Local restoration representatives described the work completed so far as an important environmental accomplishment despite the delay. - Two nearby boat slips remain contaminated with PCBs, PAHs and metals and still require remediation, according to officials. Summary: The project’s completion date has been moved to 2027 while a structural repair is carried out; containment remains in place and officials say the clean-up will resume after the repair. Undetermined at this time.