Canada's first railway tunnel in Brockville, Ont. has delayed start to 2024 season
One of the largest tourist attractions in Brockville, Ont. is having a delayed start to the 2024 season due to issues with its lighting system.
- Sign up now for our daily CTV News Ottawa newsletters
- The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App
Canada’s First Railway Tunnel is a free attraction located right near Brockville City Hall. It typically opens on Easter weekend and closes sometime in the fall.
The tunnel saw its last trains pass through it in 1970 and has since been reincorporated as a walking path with a colourful light show.
But this year, its opening has been pushed back a few weeks, due to what the city describes as "challenges with the lighting system."
"The issues go beyond regular maintenance," the city said in a statement released last week. "Numerous components of the tunnel light show have prematurely failed resulting in additional work to open for the 2024 season."
The complications with the tunnel have cost the city roughly $120,000. It is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the city, but it’s free to use for visitors.
The city of Brockville has invested more money in maintaining its historic landmarks over the past few years. The tunnel was built in 1860 and stretches over 500 metres under the city's downtown.
This historic tunnel was completed 21 years before construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway began and predates the rail tunnels in the Western Rockies, according to the attraction's website.
The city had hoped to have it open in time for Monday’s total solar eclipse. The tunnel is located right at the entrance to Blockhouse Island, where large crowds gathered to watch the eclipse.
The city says they are hoping the tunnel will be open again in the coming weeks.
This story will be updated.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Walking pneumonia is surging in Canada. Is it peaking now?
CTVNews.ca spoke with various medical experts to find out the latest situation with the typically mild walking pneumonia in their area and whether parents should be worried.
NEW Thinking about taking an 'adult gap year'? Here's what experts say you should know
Canadian employees are developing an appetite for an 'adult gap year': a meaningful break later in life to refocus, refresh and indulge in something outside their daily routine, according to experts.
Prime Minister Trudeau attends Taylor Swift's Eras Tour in Toronto with family
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is a Swiftie. His office confirmed to CTV News Toronto that he and members of his family are attending the penultimate show of Taylor Swift's 'The Eras Tour' in Toronto on Friday evening.
Afraid of losing the U.S.-Canada trade pact, Mexico alters its laws and removes Chinese parts
Mexico has been taking a bashing lately for allegedly serving as a conduit for Chinese parts and products into North America, and officials here are afraid a re-elected Donald Trump or politically struggling Prime Minister Justin Trudeau could try to leave their country out of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada free trade agreement.
'Her shoe got sucked into the escalator': Toronto family warns of potential risk of wearing Crocs
A Toronto family is speaking out after their 10-year-old daughter's Crocs got stuck in an escalator, ripping the entire toe area of the clog off.
UN talks in disarray as a rough draft deal for climate cash is rejected by developing nations
As nerves frayed and the clock ticked, negotiators from rich and poor nations were huddled in one room Saturday during overtime United Nations climate talks to try to hash out an elusive deal on money for developing countries to curb and adapt to climate change.
The Thriftmas Special: The benefits of second-hand holiday shopping
The holidays may be a time for family, joy and togetherness, but they can also be hard on the wallet.
ICC warrants are binding, EU cannot pick and choose, EU's Borrell says
European Union governments cannot pick and choose whether to execute arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court against two Israeli leaders and a Hamas commander, the EU's foreign policy chief said on Saturday.
Whole Foods carrots pulled in expanded recall for E. coli: CFIA
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has announced an expanded recall on carrots over risks of E. coli O121 contamination, according to a notice issued Friday.