Randle Reef

Project Overview

The $138.9M Randle Reef Contaminated Sediment Remediation project involves the remediation of approximately 695,000 m3 of contaminated sediments in Hamilton Harbour. The project cost is being shared equally by Canada, Ontario and the local community comprised of the City of Hamilton, City of Burlington and Halton Region, U.S. Steel Canada and the Hamilton-Oshawa Port Authority.

The project is managed by the Randle Reef Executive Committee chaired by Environment Canada and is comprised of representatives from the seven project-funding organizations.

Steps:

  • The Randle Reef Sediment Remediation project is planned to be undertaken in three stages over seven years between 2015 and 2022 and has a total value of $138.9 Million.
  • Stage One will see the construction of the Engineered Containment Facility (ECF) into which the contaminated sediment will later be dredged and placed. The facility will be made of double steel sheet pile walls, with the outer walls being driven to depths of up to 24 metres into the harbour bottom.
  • Preparations began in 2015, and in-water work began in the spring of 2016.
  • In 2019, the project continued into Stage 2, including dredging priority 1 and 2 contaminated sediment (the most highly contaminated sediment) and placing it into the ECF.
  • Stage 3 includes the final capping of the ECF, and the in-situ capping of the lesser contaminated sediments.
  • Cleaning up Randle Reef is the last major step remaining in order to remove the Hamilton Harbour from the list of Areas of Concern in the Great Lakes. Restoring water quality in Hamilton Harbour will have positive impacts on the community and the entire Great Lakes ecosystem.
  • If you have questions or concerns about the Randle Reef construction project: Click here to find out who to call.

General Inquiries

If you have questions or concerns regarding this project, please contact Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Public Inquiries Centre toll-free at 1-800-668-6767. 

Every effort will be made to ensure construction of the project does not result in impairment of air or water quality due to disturbance of contaminated sediments. However, should you observe anything that concerns you, a 24-hour notification system is in place to alert local, provincial, and federal authorities.

In the event of an environmental emergency, please call the Ontario Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change’s Spills Action Centre 24-hour toll-free number at 1-800-268-6060.

For more information about the Randle Reef Project, please visit: www.randlereef.ca

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