Public Service Announcement - Canadian Army Training in the St. Thomas & Shedden Areas this weekend

Public Service Announcement

Canadian Army training in the St. Thomas and Shedden areas this weekend

November 24, 2022 – London, Ont. – National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces

Between Friday November 25 and Sunday November 27, 2022, Canadian Army Reserve personnel from 31 Combat Engineer Regiment (The Elgins), 31 Service Battalion, and 2 Military Police Regiment will conduct convoy and bridge construction training in the Shedden, Ontario area. Activities will include the transportation of heavy equipment and bridging equipment along planned routes between St. Thomas and Shedden, and the construction of a temporary bridge across Talbot Creek.

All activities will take place between 1:00 p.m. on November 25 and 7:00 p.m. on November 27, 2022. During this period, members of the public may see military vehicles on Sunset Drive, John Wise Line, Fingal Line, and Union Road. Members of the Military Police will be positioned along these routes to guide military vehicles. A construction site will be established at the Open Space Park where soldiers using heavy equipment will be seen constructing a temporary bridge across Talbot Creek. Construction will begin at 7:00 p.m. on November 25 and will be complete on Saturday November 26. Deconstruction will take place and be completed by 7:00 p.m. on Sunday November 27.

Members of the public are invited to view the construction of the bridge at 9210 Union Road, Shedden, Ont. on Saturday, November 26 between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m.

While the construction is ongoing, those travelling by the site are asked not to stop on the side of Union Road to observe the bridge in order to ensure the safety of all vehicles.

Canadian Army soldiers on-site and on specified routes may be seen carrying unloaded weapons, but no ammunition of any kind will be present at any time.

This important training is being conducted in order to maintain and further develop the skills of Canadian Army Reserve soldiers in the planning, preparation, and execution of a water crossing operation. 31 Combat Engineer Regiment (The Elgins) maintains an Acrow Line of Communication Bridge, which is designed to be a strong and rapid solution for crossing over water features or other gaps in such event as floods or military operations until a permanent structure can be established. Successful completion of this complex operation relies on the close cooperation between Engineer, Military Police, and Service Battalion personnel working as a team.

All measures are being taken to ensure minimum inconvenience to those in the area, however access to certain areas of the Open Space Park will be restricted. Members of the public are asked to take extra caution when approaching military vehicles, and are thanked in advance for their understanding and co-operation.

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