#erosion

Percé: No more access to Anse du Nord

Local Journalism Initiative / The Gaspé Spec / August 22, 2025 / #anse de nord, #erosion, #nelson sergerie, #Perce, #safety, #tourism

Nelson Sergerie, LJI Journalist

Nelson Sergerie
PERCÉ – The staircase at the end of Biard Street in Percé, which allowed tourists to descend to Anse du Nord beach, is no longer accessible.

The infrastructure will not be rebuilt after falling victim to coastal erosion.
The town had to intervene every fall. “It wasn’t working anymore,” says the Mayor or Percé Daniel Leboeuf.

Resident Lise Bourget is asking the town to at least take action to make the area more welcoming.
“Last year, they decided not to replace it, but they could remove the remains of the facilities, I think. It’s really ugly for tourists who come to admire the Rock, and it seems very dangerous to me because people still go down there,” she explains.

The town is working on a new concept

“The plan is to install an observation platform. Tourists will still be able to see Anse du Nord. Given the erosion that is occurring, it is not feasible to rebuild a staircase in the short term,” explains the mayor.

There had been plans to install an aluminum structure for the descent that would have better withstood the onslaught of the sea.

“The slope is too eroded. We will not invest tens of thousands of dollars until it is safe,” saYS Mr. Leboeuf.

Such infrastructure could be reinstated if the Department of Public Safety intervenes to protect the area, as the town has been requesting for several years.

“We’ll see. Our request for protective work for the entire Anse du Nord is still pending with the Department of Public Safety. A project has been submitted. Studies are still being conducted. We hope that this part of the village will be protected,” says the mayor.

The request is being made under the disaster prevention program. The protection of Anse du Nord is an important issue: nearly 20 homes and businesses in this area are vulnerable. There is also the fire station and the town’s filtration plant at the end of the cove. If there were to be too much damage on this side, it would jeopardize the safety of the town.

Percé: No more access to Anse du Nord Read More »

Beach replenishment work in Maria

Local Journalism Initiative / The Gaspé Spec / August 11, 2025 / #beach replenishment, #construction, #erosion, #maria, #nelson sergerie

Nelson Sergerie, LJI Journalist

MARIA – Three months after awarding a $25.7 million contract to Bélugas Construction of Boisbriand, beach replenishment work to protect Maria from erosion and coastal flooding is progressing well.

Trains and trucks are working in coordinated fashion to carry out this vast project, which covers Route 132 between the municipal beach and the post office, and protects the commercial area between the IGA market and the Lady Maria residence over a distance of 2.4 kilometres.

“It’s going very well. We are very satisfied. The response has been good. The contractors are very competent. It’s nice to collaborate on such a large project and have little impact on the municipality,” notes municipal liaison officer Luce Plourde.

The project includes research, characterization, transportation and installation of granular materials, extension of pipes, development of storm sewer outlets, installation of storm sewer manholes and various other work.

Few complaints have been made to the municipality so far.

“Using the train as the main means of transportation helps. Of course, there are trucks between the railroad tracks and the beach, but people are patient, and we hope they will remain so,” says Ms. Plourde.

The use of the railroad tracks to transport the necessary equipment is still in its early stages.
“It’s going very well so far. We were making two train trips a day. On July 22, there were three. Ultimately, the goal is to get to four trips a day,” she says.

Two types of railcars are used: air dump railcars and hopper railcars that unload underneath, with the material being loaded in trucks by conveyors. From there, the trucks reach the shore where they unload the material.

“Residents and tourists are very happy with this option because it frees Route 132 from a lot of trucks,” the liaison officer continues.

The work is arousing curiosity. “People are venturing out to see what’s happening on the beach. But they must respect the measures in place, because a construction site is still quite dangerous. They should stay away from anything orange,” explains Ms. Plourde.

The municipality is working to develop access points to better view the work, particularly at Vieux-Quai Park.

A security perimeter is also being established near the train unloading area on Hirondelles Street to allow curious onlookers to view the operations.

The current construction zone is located around Town Hall, Vieux-Quai Park and the central sector. “Traffic is flowing smoothly,” says Ms. Plourde.

Regular rainfall is helping to reduce dust levels. Approximately 500,000 tons of material are required to replenish the beach.

In addition, experts concluded on May 7, that 50 buildings in the Pointe Verte sector are now under imminent threat from erosion and coastal flooding and constitute an imminent disaster.

A maximum of $385,000 per property is being granted for demolition or relocation. Those who choose to stay will still be entitled to municipal services. People have up to a year and a half to make their decision.

Every Friday, the municipality will publish a summary of the week’s work and upcoming work on social media.

A dedicated page will also be available on the municipality’s website.

Beach replenishment work in Maria Read More »