Just like the swallows to Capistrano, the cranes have returned to the Welland Canal.
Within two days of shutdown, Locks 6 and 7 in Thorold saw the heavy equipment move in for another winter of repair and maintenance.
The routine maintenance is ongoing and, with the warm weather this year, accounts more than anything for the closing of the canal. The season was extended for a few days but with the closure on Dec. 31 the work has begun in earnest.
