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Coastal Corridor Faces Tidal Threat: $650M Project Underway to Protect Critical Infrastructure
20 Oct
Summary
- Chignecto Isthmus under threat from climate change
- 18.6-year lunar cycle amplifying tides in Bay of Fundy
- $650 million project to protect transportation corridor
As of October 2025, the Chignecto Isthmus, a low-lying corridor connecting the Canadian provinces of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, is facing a growing threat from climate change and an astronomical cycle that is increasing the vulnerability of the critical infrastructure in the region.
The 18.6-year lunar nodal cycle, which has been on an upward trend since 2015, is set to reach its peak between 2029 and 2036, with 2034 being the probable time when the highest tides will be observed in the Bay of Fundy. This, combined with the incremental rise in sea levels, means that it will take a lesser storm to result in coastal flooding along the isthmus.
In response to this threat, the governments of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Canada have committed to a $650 million project to protect the corridor, which includes high-voltage transmission lines, CN Rail tracks, and the Trans-Canada Highway. This infrastructure is essential for the $250 million in daily trade that depends on the isthmus.
