Hamilton

Rain prompts city to close piers around Burlington Lift Bridge

Hamilton has closed access to the piers near the Burlington Lift Bridge to pedestrians because there are "extremely high water levels" there.
Mike Ryan of Burlington took a walk as waves crashed over the pier behind him near the Burlington lift bridge in early May. The city has closed the area after more rain Thursday. (Samantha Craggs/CBC)

Hamilton has closed pedestrian access to the piers near the Burlington Lift Bridge because of "extremely high water levels" there.

The city says water and wind have caused a safety hazard. Waves are submerging the concrete piers, it says, which makes the area slippery and dangerous. City crews have fenced off the area.

The Breezeway Trail leading to the pier on the Hamilton side is still open.

Thursday's rain comes after a month of rain and flooding in Hamilton.

The city has declared heavy rain storms on April 20 and early May disasters to unlock compassionate grants for home owners with basement flooding. The rain has caused Lake Ontario water levels to rise to the highest level in a century.

Environment Canada predicts periods of drizzle and fog patches on Thursday night. Temperatures will fall to 11 C.

Friday will be mainly cloudy with a 30 per cent chance of showers and fog patches dissipating in the morning. The high will be 18 C.