The Town of Cobourg would like to advise citizens and community organizations that the East Pier will be undergoing a condition assessment and will remain closed to community events and vehicular access until further notice. The East Pier will remain open for pedestrian use only.
An Asset Management Plan currently being developed by the Town and will include all assets/facilities to improve their management and maintenance and to enhance long-term capital planning. As part of the Asset Management Plan condition assessments of assets/facilities are being conducted.
The East Pier was selected as one of the assets in need for a condition assessment due to: age, regular appearance of voids in the asphalt surface that require various repairs and the extremely high water level of Lake Ontario in 2017 caused damage to other shoreline structures.
“The East Pier has not been structurally assessed since 2011 and is showing signs of fatigue through the appearance of voids in the asphalt surface. These voids are indicative of water infiltrating the underside of the pier and removing the supporting fill material,” said Laurie Wills, P.Eng, Deputy Director of Public Works.
“Without conducting an engineering inspection we cannot confirm that the pier is capable of supporting vehicles and our first priority is safety.” The Town is currently seeking engineering proposals for the assessment and anticipates an inspection will be conducted in the spring.
A report will follow indicating what repairs if any, are required and an estimate of their associated costs. The Town of Cobourg would thank all citizens and community organizations for their patience and understanding as we work to improve the safety, look and use of the East Pier and ask that all planning of community events moving forward go under the assumption that the East Pier will not be available.
Graham Beer- [email protected]