Before construction work began on the 407 East Highway Phase 2, archaeologists found over 150,000 items of indigenous origin dated to before the arrival of Europeans. Many of the items found were pottery fragments, but included clay pipes and beads. These beads were of significant interest to archaeologists as they came from shells and rock found uniquely on the Atlantic coast of the province of Quebec.
This indigenous heritage has been commemorated with embossments of a turtle, wolf, bear and deer on the new Solina Bridge. The reference to these animals comes from the confederation of eight clans known as the Huron-Wendat Nation. It was Donnacona, chief of this Iroquoian speaking nation, who welcomed the explorer Jacques Cartier during his journey in search of the Indies in the 1530’s.
The Solina Road bridge was constructed for the recently opened 407 East Phase 2a project, which is being constructed to extend the 407 to Highway 35/115. Ferrovial Agroman and Joint Venture partner Dufferin Construction, the design builders for concessionaire Cintra under the contract with the Province of Ontario; honored the Huron-Wendat at a ceremony during the unveiling of the embossments.
