Letter: Extensive lane closures of LaSalle Causeway ‘truly a nightmare’

The following is a submitted open letter to Kingston Mayor Bryan Paterson, also sent to MP Mark Gerretsen, written by a Kingston resident. The views and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of Kingstonist.

Dear Mayor Paterson, 

I am sure many Kingston residents are wondering this week: who in their right mind would schedule such a horrendous lane closure on the LaSalle Causeway from April 4 to May 31, 2022, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.? As the work is seemingly under the jurisdiction of Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC), I am going to assume the bureaucrat(s) involved in such a plan do not live in Kingston, have no idea, or simply do not care what a log jam it has created for daily traffic. It is nothing short of exasperating. For anyone living in the east end, it is truly a nightmare. It is the only avenue to downtown other than driving miles and miles to Highway 401 and back down into the city core. 

Additionally, it appears that while no work is been done on the weekend, the contractor has nevertheless kept the lane closure in place. 

I have to wonder why such a decision would be made. I am sure many residents are seething about it. And meanwhile, what is the plan for health emergencies for people living in the east end? 

This business of lane closures on the LaSalle Causeway seems to have been ongoing now for years — Ever since Fort Henry and The Rideau Canal’s designation as a World Heritage Site. I am therefore wondering if it is a continual ‘make work’ project for money that just needs to be spent? I cannot imagine how much work can really be left to do.

I do hope that your office will engage PSPC to make some changes to this program and schedule. I am quite sure whatever they are doing (which does not seem like much) could have easily been delayed until the third crossing was open. 

Sincerely, 

Geoff Wickham
Kingston resident