Laurentian Valley residents fighting against entrance to gravel pit

The access to the gravel pit off Henan Road in Laurentian Valley Township. (Dylan Dyson/CTV News Ottawa)

Residents of a dead-end road in Laurentian Valley are fighting against the township to stop dump trucks from accessing a gravel pit through their neighbourhood.

In the fall of 2024, G.P. Splinter Forest Products bought the dormant gravel pit located behind the Alice & Fraser Recreation Centre, with plans to make it operational.

To do that, G.P. Splinter says it needs to construct a new two-lane entrance off Pit Road.

Ian Hodgson says he has lived on Pit Road for 20 years and despite the street’s name, it should not be used as an entrance for the gravel pit.

“The trucks running through here constantly, apparently, from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. is what they’re allowed to do,” Hodgson tells CTV News.

“We live in a rural area. I built this home out here because it was quiet, and I didn’t sign up for this.”

Instead, Hodgson argues the pit’s entrance should be located one road over off Henan Road.

The problem is that in 2020, that township constructed a four-season recreational trail in front of the Henan Road entrance.

“The township has blocked off the other entrance to the pit with a skating trail,” Hodgson says.

“They’re forcing the trucks through this area, through our neighbourhood.”

Pit Road resident Stuart Saunders is of the same opinion.

Saunders says in November 2024, G.P. Splinter arrived on Pit Road to begin construction of the new entrance. Saunders says he blocked the work from happening, saying it would encroach on his property.

“Now they’re trying to let a new construction company that bought the pit off the old construction company build another road at the front of my property,” says Saunders.

Speaking with CTV News Ottawa, Laurentian Valley Mayor Steve Bennet said the Pit Road entrance was always the primary entrance to the gravel pit, with access off Henan Road used as a secondary entrance at times.

Bennett says the township gave permission to G.P. Splinter to construct a new entrance on Pit Road, as it would be safer than having dump trucks drive through the Alice & Fraser Recreation Centre.

To avoid Saunders’ property, G.P. Splinter says it must blow away rock at the end of Pit Road to extend the entrance.

Hodgson is worried the exploding of any rock could lead to damage of his well and home foundation.

“They want to blow that chunk of Canadian shield out of there so they can move the entrance,” says Hodgson.

“They told me that they were going to blow up that rock and I was going to lose a few trees, and to stand back.”

Any groundwork that was planned to take place in the fall was put on hold following complaints from Pit Road residents.

Laurentian Valley Township Council is set to vote on the approval of the new Pit Road entrance on Tuesday, March 4.

Saunders says he has hired legal counsel in an attempt to stop the pit entrance from being built on or near his property.

“I’m going to stay here and I’m going to block this road when they come,” he says, “and I’m not moving.”