The Chignecto Isthmus refers to the piece of land connecting New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. This stretch of land is a vital transportation link in Atlantic Canada.

The Chignecto Isthmus is located along the border between New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. It is the only road and rail connection between the two provinces. Located near the Northumberland Strait and Bay of Fundy, the isthmus is threatened by rising sea levels and more frequent severe weather events.

A network of dykes to protect the land from the tides was installed in the late 1600s in the area around the Chignecto Isthmus. It currently protects communities, infrastructure, private lands and natural resources from rising sea levels. In addition, the region is home to windmills and major power transmission lines.

Nova Scotia Department of Public Works and the New Brunswick Department of Transportation and Infrastructure jointly commissioned an economic analysis of the Chignecto Isthmus trade corridor. The Trans-Canada Highway and CN Rail line carry approximately $90 billion per year in goods and services through the isthmus.

The New Brunswick Department of Transportation and Infrastructure and the Nova Scotia Department of Public Works have worked together with Transport Canada to complete the Chignecto Isthmus Climate Change Adaptation Engineering and Feasibility Study.

The comprehensive engineering and feasibility study had identified three recommendations for the protection of the trade corridor located within the Chignecto Isthmus.

These recommendations provide a variety of options to raise the dykes to the necessary level of protection for the isthmus.

The Government of New Brunswick and Government of Nova Scotia are working together with federal partners to identify and move forward with the right solution.

The Chignecto Isthmus is located along the border between New Brunswick and Nova Scotia and is the only road and rail connection between the two provinces. Located near the Northumberland Strait and Bay of Fundy, the Chignecto Isthmus is threatened by rising sea levels and more frequent severe weather events.

The isthmus is situated slightly above sea level. A network of dykes and aboiteaux originally installed in the late 1600s currently protects communities, infrastructure, private lands and natural resources from rising seas levels and storms.
 

The Chignecto Isthmus is currently protected by a network of earthen dykes originally constructed in the late 1600s to assist with the establishment of farms in the area.

Rising sea levels and more frequent severe weather events threaten the isthmus. For example, there is a risk of flooding in the area that could cause significant damage.
 

A network of dykes to protect the land from the tides was installed in the late 1600s in the area around the Chignecto Isthmus. Now a network of 35 kms of dykes and aboiteaux, the system must be enhanced.

From the information in the Chignecto Isthmus Climate Change Adaptation Engineering and Feasibility Study an initial study corridor was selected to begin data collection and preliminary studies for the advancement of this project.

Conceptual design options and location of water control structure will be key to advancing the project. The provinces are working to develop hydrotechnical, geotechnical, and fish passage design opportunities.

It is estimated that this project will take about 10 years to complete, allowing time for environmental assessments, permits, design work, archaeological work and construction.

The two provinces are working closely to improve best
practices and standards for constructing and maintaining
dykeland systems by engaging key groups/individuals,
researchers, and engineering experts.

Over recent years, there have been several studies on the impacts of climate change and rising sea levels in the Atlantic Region. In addition to these studies, an engineering analysis assessing the feasibility of potential options to provide protection to the existing transportation network and infrastructure has been completed.
 

Early planning preconstruction activities will influence the Dykeland System design for the project. In addition to conventional dykeland system approaches, such as raising dyke heights or the application of rock to provide shoreline protection, it is expected that design methodology will consider the use of natural infrastructure adaptions where possible such as living shorelines, saltmarsh restoration, and saltmarsh regeneration. Both approaches are important to key groups/individuals, and it will be critical to have a process for sharing and gathering information that is transparent and collaborative.
 

Definitions

Aboiteau(x) - Aboiteau is singular, aboiteaux is plural. A water control structure consisting of a tide gate at the end of a culvert that regulates water flow between a tidewater area and a drained upland area. Can be a box or pipe culvert individual, stacked or parallel.

Agricultural Marshland – Area of marshland protected behind the dyke that is predominantly, but not exclusively, used for agricultural purposes.

Dyke – An embankment constructed of earth or other suitable materials whose purpose is coastal flood risk reduction or water conveyance. Commonly referred to as a dyke, dike, levee, or embankment.

Dykelands – Predominantly agricultural lands developed from rich salt marshes found mainly in the upper Bay of Fundy of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. Occurring in areas of high tidal range, dykelands owe their existence to dykes constructed to keep out the sea. They primarily protect agricultural marshland, as well as residential and commercial property, roads, railroads, and utility lines.

Foreshore Marsh – Area of vegetated marsh that exists within the intertidal zone. Foreshore marshes are valuable sources of coastal protection due to their capacity to attenuate waves and their ability to accrete with rising sea levels.

Isthmus – An isthmus is a narrow strip of land that connects two larger land masses and separates two bodies of water.

Marsh – An area of low-lying land which is flooded in wet seasons or at high tide, and typically remains water-logged at all times.

Marshland (wetland) – a region, area, or district characterized by marshes, swamps, bogs, or the like and often found at the edges of lakes and streams, and coastal areas where they form a transition between the aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems.

Salt Marsh – Salt marshes are coastal wetlands that are flooded and drained by salt water brought in by tides.
 

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It is anticipated that the project will involve rehabilitation, potentially the relocation of and/or decommissioning of existing water control structures (e.g. aboiteaux), and new construction to upgrade the dykeland system. It could include:

• upgrades to existing dyke sections,
• the construction of new dyke sections on the inland side of existing alignment,
• site access roads, buildings, and associated works (power and parking) for the operation and maintenance of the infrastructure,
• the development and restoration of natural infrastructure.
   

Indigenous engagement and engagement with key groups and individuals to be carried out for the duration of the CIRP. Provinces will consider their respective Indigenous consultation requirements before applying for regulatory authorizations and permits.
 

Nova Scotia and New Brunswick continue to work in collaboration to undertake planning work for a new dykeland system infrastructure approach for the Chignecto Isthmus to protect the area from the future impacts of climate change.

While working on finalizing the federal funding commitment, the provinces continue to advance early planning preconstruction activities to ensure the project is completed within the ten-year project timeline.