Seaway Shuttle for Long Sault Parkway
Candy Pollard

The St. Lawrence Parks Commission announced today that it is launching a new local bus service called the “Seaway Shuttle” that aims to get area campers, boaters, visitors and even residents moving in the Morrisburg to Long Sault area. The bus will begin service on Thursday, July 10 and will operate on Thursday, Friday and Saturday for four weeks as a test.

“We are hopeful that visitors and residents will see this new bus service as an easy and cost effective way to get around to experience all of the area’s many activities, attractions, and services,” said Pat Macdonald, General Manager and CEO of the St. Lawrence Parks Commission. “We are especially sensitive to the needs of campers in the area, as many arrive in gas-guzzling large RV’s, so this is a cheaper way to get around – especially because we are offering it for free.” She added that the recent closure of the West Gate of the Long Sault Parkway was an added stimulus to accelerate this bus experiment, since campers at McLaren and Woodlands Campgrounds are not able to use the nearby West Gate.

“Long Sault campers and businesses have been extremely understanding of our need to protect public safety,” explained Ms. Macdonald. “While we are hopeful that we may be able to affect a temporary fix to the bridge very soon, we will not really know if this is possible until the asphalt is removed from the concrete foundation on Monday.” She clarified that the Long Sault Parkway is open via the East Gate, but that no traffic (pedestrian, bicycle or car) is being permitted over the bridge near the West Gate, until it is deemed safe.

She further explained that a second opinion this week by Cornwall engineering firm Thompson Rosemount Group has resulted in the continued closure and that Thompson Rosemount would be proceeding with the asphalt removal and further inspection on a most urgent basis Monday. “We hope to know more by Tuesday, so that we can determine if a temporary fix is possible. Our goal, obviously, is to get the bridge re-opened as soon as possible, but safety will be our first and foremost priority.” It is not known what led to the shifting of the “approach” concrete slab which attaches to the bridge, but the extreme winter and high water may have been factors.

The Commission’s decision to run a free shuttle service came after discussions with local businesses and town officials about the need to provide increased transportation in the area, a tactic implemented by many vacation destinations as a tool to attract more visitors. “This shuttle service hopefully will appeal to mixed visitor groups, especially RV campers, as members can split up and do different activities and then meet up later. We hope that it proves popular and that it gets more people into our attractions, on bike trails, canoeing and kayaking on the river, shopping, attending various special events along the corridor, and into our new live theatre pavilion as well as to the Upper Canada Playhouse,” said Ms. Macdonald. “We are scrambling to get the service operational by this coming Thursday, opening night for “A Seaway Story”, the exhilarating, high energy, all-ages live entertainment that depicts the emotional upheaval of the Seaway’s creation 50 years ago.” Tickets are now on sale at Crysler Park Marina and Upper Canada Village, as well as via the Commission’s web site: www.parks.on.ca. Adults are only $20, seniors $16 and youth 5 to 17 are just $12. Children 4 and under are free. “We are hopeful that local residents will use this shuttle service from Ingleside and Morrisburg shopping plazas as a convenient way to get to the play, as well as Upper Canada Village, the Upper Canada Golf Course, Crysler Park Marina – which now features the new Marker 72 Dockside Patio with sweeping views of the St. Lawrence River.” Ms. Macdonald added that the Commission’s new 50th Anniversary Seaway Exhibit will open late next week at Crysler Hall inside the Village, and that the Village is now offering evening Village strolls (starting at 5:00 p.m.) for only $4.50 (adults and seniors) and $3.50 (youths 5 to 17), which also provide access to the exhibit, Village Café and Village Store, but other heritage buildings are closed.

Delaney Bus Lines has been contracted to provide the shuttle service, which will operate Thursday, Friday and Saturday beginning at 10:45 a.m., starting from McLaren Campground. It will make three loops each day and stop at McLaren, Woodlands, and Mille Roches Campgrounds, exit the East Gate of the Long Sault Parkway, then stop briefly at the Ingleside Plaza, the Upper Canada Migratory Bird Sanctuary, Upper Canada Golf Course, Upper Canada Village, Crysler Park Marina, Riverside-Cedar Campground, and finally at the Morrisburg Plaza, with a brief break before turning around and repeating the same stops. Riders will have enough time to shop, grab a meal and do an activity before the return pick up. The last run ends at about 8:00 p.m. at McLaren, and the schedule is now being finalized and will be posted at each stop.

“This service will start out as a test, until we can see how riders use it,” explained Commission Finance Manager Faye Baker, who set up the route with Delaney. “We would look to expand its operation or add days if the townships, local BIA’s or a sponsor were to come forward and assist financially. As it is, the Commission is fully funding this initial test, but we would be thrilled if additional partners could join us,” she explained. Ms. Baker went on to add that, due to safety concerns, the bus is not able to make stops along County Road 2 and that the two shopping plazas – Ingleside and Morrisburg – were chosen due to their central locations and safety for passengers. “We need a few days to work out exact drop off and pick up locations, but we should have signage in place by the first day, Thursday, July 10,” she added.

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