Flooded waterfront trail opens today

Hamilton's Waterfront Trail between Bayfront Park and Princess Point reopened Monday, following a four month closure due to heavy flooding. 

Bu that doesn't mean this spring's flood damage has been repaired.

The city has decided to open the trail before it has been fully repaired, using fencing and signs to keep people away from eroded and damaged areas.

The city describes the damages to the trail as "serious" and has taken precautions to warn users about the erosion along the edge of the of the trail, it says in a press release. Warning signs have been put up around the trail, marking areas with a narrowed pathway or possible hazards. 

Last Wednesday the city began installing 550 metres of fencing around the edge of the trail where there is erosion along the edge of the asphalt. The city asks users to respect the warning signs and keep away from the areas blocked by the new fencing. 

The city is working with shoreline erosion experts to assess the condition of the trail and determine the type of repairs that will be required. 

The cost estimates for the water damage across the city is between $4.5 and $6.8 million. 

In April, a full month of rain fell in Dundas in one day, when basements and businesses flooded. Hamilton usually gets 73 mm in April, Environment Canada says. In one day, 72.4 mm fell at the Royal Botanical Gardens.

In early May, another rain storm partially flooded streets near Hamilton's waterfront. Hamilton saw 82 millimetres of rain in the first week of May, which is more than the monthly average of 80 millimetres Environment Canada said.

Lake Ontario water levels have remained well above average all summer.