SOURIS, P.E.I. — The boardwalk expansion at Souris Beach should be completed in early 2020, members of the committee said.
Mayor JoAnne Dunphy, who also co-chairs the Souris Beach Boardwalk Committee, is pleased to see it come together after so many years of planning.
“What we got we’re happy with,” she said.
“It’ll be finished for sure come spring.”
The 1,500-foot boardwalk will be one of the first things people see upon entering Souris via its western entrance. It’ll be lined with benches to sit on, and at its far end a gazebo is being constructed.
Environmental concerns caused the boardwalk design to be shorter and take longer than preferred, but the committee is satisfied with the results. Additions could potentially be made in the future.
For now, construction workers have been taking steps to ensure its design doesn’t disturb the dunes or the wildlife.
Parts like the rails are being constructed offsite in an indoor facility, making it a little easier on the workers, Dunphy said.
The boardwalk is phase three of a larger project for the area, which included making a sea wall to better protect the beach during rougher storms.
Boulders were added in front of the beach’s parking lot and stores, which are already making a difference, she said.
“The tide is rising as they say. It’s affecting everyone.”
Dunphy said Souris locals have been very enthusiastic about the project.
“Because there are so many people going out walking everyday”
Brian Deveau, co-chairman of the committee, said they were hoping to have it done by the end of December, but sometimes it’s hard to predict seasonal shifts.
“Winter is coming upon us pretty quick.”
Their deadline for project completion is March 2020.
A sub-committee has been formed to start making panels to place along the boardwalk containing information about the beach’s key environmental features.
“That the tourists would read and that kind of stuff.”
