Category: Projects

Key Takeaways:

• To win the work, Ledcor created a limited partnership with construction and engineering firm Dragados Canada, under the name Bowmanville Construction Partners.
• The project will extend the Lakeshore East GO Line nearly 20 kilometers to Bowmanville in Clarington, Ontario.
• In the coming months, Ledcor and Dragados will support the design process, provide construction advice, identify risks as well as opportunities to streamline major civil works, obtain more accurate cost and schedule estimates, and more.

The Whole Story:

Ledcor’s Infrastructure team has been awarded a $1 billion to build the Bowmanville Extension transit project.

The project will extend the Lakeshore East GO Line nearly 20 kilometers to Bowmanville in Clarington, Ontario. With nearly 17,000 daily trips expected by 2041, the extension will connect more of Durham Region to fast two-way, all-day rail service. This project includes new track signal infrastructure, seven new bridges (including a new rail alignment over Highway 401), bridge reconstruction and existing bridge modifications, utility relocations and at-grade crossing upgrades.

The Bowmanville Extension is a complement to the larger GO Expansion program, which is transforming the GO rail network into a modern two-way all-day, rapid transit system.

Ledcor attributed the award of the contract to Ledcor’s trusted relationship with its repeat client, Metrolinx. Ledcor’s recent projects with Metrolinx include the Barrie Rail Corridor and Lakeshore Packages B/C transit project.

To deliver this extension, Ledcor created a limited partnership with construction and engineering firm Dragados Canada, under the name Bowmanville Construction Partners. 

“During a competitive bidding process, our combined expertise helped secure this contract, and reflects Ledcor’s position as a leader within the infrastructure industry,” said Ledcor in a press release. 

Now that Bowmanville Construction Partners (BCP) has been awarded the contract, the next step is the development phase. During this phase, BCP will support the design process, provide construction advice, identify risks as well as opportunities to streamline major civil works, obtain more accurate cost and schedule estimates, and more.

Those who grew up before the rise of Amazon, Ebay and even Craigslist likely spent many hours hanging out at the mall with friends. Without cell phones or the internet, what else was there for a teenager to do?

These spaces weren’t just a place to shop. They were a social hub. But even before the COVID-19 pandemic, many shoppers were already shifting to online purchases.

With many of these aging malls now decades old, developers have seen a massive opportunity to completely reimagine these sites or augment them with a new vision.

During the past few years, this trend has been particularly strong in Ontario. Though, as evidenced by projects like the 4.3 million square-foot redevelopment of Vancouver’s Oakridge Centre, it is not confined to the East.

Nevertheless, this week, we are zooming in on the wave that is happening in Ontario. Let’s explore the most significant mall and shopping center redevelopment projects currently planned or in progress across the province.

Sherway Gardens Mall

In 2021, developers revealed a master plan to redevelop the 30-acre Sherway Gardens site at The Queensway and The West Mall in Etobicoke. Mall owner Cadillac Fairview joined forces with real estate developer DiamondCorp to propose over 6,200 residential units in 15 new buildings ranging in height from 17 to 45 storeys, as well as over 14,000 square metres of new retail and office uses.

Scarborough Town Centre

The Scarborough Town Centre is the fourth largest mall in Canada and developers have been working since 2016 on plans to transform the site. Oxford Properties Group and Urban Strategies proposed initially building two towers, each taller than 50 storeys. Later phases would transform the site’s 21 blocks of mostly parking into mixed-use buildings.

Square One Shopping Centre

A contender for the largest redevelopment on this list, Square One Shopping Centre in Mississauga launched in 2020. Oxford Properties‘ multi-decade plan calls for the creation of the Square One District which would create 18,000 residential units and keep the mall intact. It includes 37 towers (nope, that’s not a typo) which essentially would create a downtown core for the city.

Galleria Mall

The Yelp reviews for the Galleria aren’t exactly flattering and BlogTO has called it the city’s “most derelict mall”. The space is set to get a major refresh. Almadev is working with Hariri Pontarini Architects on the redevelopment of the Galleria Mall, starting with a rebuilt community centre and two new mixed-use towers. The entire project is expected to take 10 years and produce a total of eight towers.

Yorkgate

SmartLiving, a subsidiary of SmartCentres REIT, has crafted a plan with Petroff Partnership Architects, to replace an under-utilized portion of the Yorkgate Mall’s surface parking lot with a 22-storey tower. SmartLiving eventually hopes to build out the entire Yorkgate Mall site over the next decade.

Jane Finch Mall

The Finch West LRT isn’t just bringing transit. It’s transforming a Toronto community. The Jane Finch Mall and its owners have begun the planning process for the future of the site, exploring options that could include a mix of housing, retail, and community amenities.

Yorkdale Shopping Centre

Oxford Properties has something massive brewing at Yorkdale Shopping Centre. Plans include 19 towers ranging from 12 to 50 storeys in height. If approved, the project create 7,935 units of housing, three public parks and a multi-purpose amenity space.

Centrepoint Mall

It might be best to zip down to Centrepoint Mall’s while you still can. It’s days may be numbered. Plans have been submitted to transform the site into a 40-building community. Morguard Corporation‘s vision for the North York mall would create 18 towers, four mid-rise towers and 16 low-rise structures. Towers would range from 22 to 50 storeys.

Dufferin Mall

Toronto’s storied Dufferin Mall, lovingly teased by locals as “The Dirty Duff”, could soon see some massive changes. Primaris Management is partnering with Quadrangle Architects and Urban Strategies to create a master-planned community that will extend the existing mall and introduce new uses to the site. It would add four residential towers, the tallest reaching up 36 storeys.

Atrium on Bay

Atrium on Bay Expansion is a proposed 34-storey mixed-use rental building designed by Hariri Pontarini Architects and Adamson Associates Architects for KingSett Capital. The proposal was presented to the Toronto Design Review Panel in March, 2023. It would replace a portion of the decades-old Atrium on Bay complex which has office and retail tenants.

Agincourt Mall

North American Development Group is currently working with Toronto officials to progress their plans to massively transform the Agincourt Mall in Scarborough. The first phase of the multi-phase plan includes two towers while future phases include eight more towers, retail and parks.

Key Takeaways:

• Stantec will acquire Environmental Systems Design (ESD) which specializes in mission critical facilities and data centre design.
• Stantec, which already maintains three offices in Chicago, will now have a total of five in the state of Illinois.
• The acquisition is expected to conclude at the end of June.

The Whole Story:

Alberta-based engineering firm Stantec has announced its agreement to acquire Environmental Systems Design, Inc. (ESD), an engineering firm based in Chicago.

This acquisition marks a significant milestone for Stantec, as it strengthens the company’s expertise in the field of mission critical facilities and data center design. The firm noted that mission critical facilities have emerged as a rapidly growing sector, involving purpose-built infrastructure that demands heightened levels of reliability. 

These facilities, which span across various major industries, are specifically designed to ensure the continuity of essential functions such as building infrastructure maintenance, emergency dispatch, data storage, and more, even in the face of adverse weather conditions and utility outages. The design of data centers, including hyperscale facilities, requires specialized considerations to guarantee resilience, necessitating teams with unique qualifications and regular exposure to the evolving needs of large-scale companies.

Stantec officials explained that the acquisition of ESD presents a significant expansion of its mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) and structural engineering practice in the U.S., bolstering it by 40 percent. The firm stated that the addition of these resources enhances its smart building engineering capabilities, aligning it with the future trends of decarbonization, building repositioning, and adaptive reuse.

“Merging talent with ESD positions Stantec as one of the top integrated design firms in the US market,” said Leonard Castro, the executive vice president and business operating unit leader for Buildings at Stantec. “Our expanded services in data center, smart building design, and high-performance buildings will offer our clients the flexible and stable facilities that meet their operational needs into the future.”

Raj Gupta, the executive chairman at ESD, echoed Castro’s comments.

“Stantec is a top-tier firm that shares our vision to improve society through the built environment,” he said. “ESD has increased the depth and breadth of its services in recent years. Joining Stantec expands our offering globally and creates exceptional career growth opportunities for our employees.”

ESD’s project portfolio includes data center design services for various leading technology clients. Notably, ESD was recently entrusted by a confidential client to provide peer review and hyperscale data center design services, leading to engagements in multiple hyperscale data centers across the U.S. 

Additionally, ESD has been involved in MEP and mission critical engineering for the United Airlines Network Operations Center in Chicago. 

The firm also contributed its MEP and fire protection engineering expertise to the massive 1.4-million-square-foot expansion of the Las Vegas Convention Center, one of the largest convention centers globally. 

ESD’s work extended to the field of healthcare with its MEP and fire protection engineering and energy modeling contributions to Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital in Illinois. Designed to meet future demands, the 201-bed hospital was modeled to achieve LEED Silver Certification. 

Stantec, which already maintains three offices in Chicago, will now have a total of five in the state of Illinois. ESD, with a significant employee presence in Chicago, operates additional offices in New York City, San Francisco, and Phoenix. This acquisition will expand Stantec’s influence in Chicago, bringing its employee count in the city to nearly 600 and in the broader U.S. North Central region to over 2,050, covering a total of 12 states.

The acquisition is anticipated to conclude on June 30, 2023.

Key Takeaways:

• Crews are halfway done Coquihalla repairs stemming from the 2021 atmospheric river event. 
• New bridges are being built on pile footings to withstand extreme weather events. 
• Crews are on track to complete all six permanent bridge replacements by the end of 2023.

The Whole Story:

A fourth permanent bridge has opened on B.C.’s Coquihalla Highway, passing the halfway point for the reconstruction project.

“Getting to this stage this quickly is a testament to the dedication and skill of B.C.’s world-class road builders and the contractor, unions and ministry staff working on restoring the Coquihalla,” said Rob Fleming, minister of transportation and infrastructure. “Making sure there are reliable, climate-resilient roads and bridges for residents, industry and emergency services will keep British Columbians and their supply chains safer and more connected during extreme weather.”

The new southbound Juliet Bridge, 55 kilometres south of Merritt, which opened Friday, July 7, 2023, is built to a higher standard of climate resiliency. Other new bridges on the Coquihalla include the northbound Bottletop Bridge, 50 kilometres south of Merritt, and the southbound Jessica Bridge, 20 kilometres north of Hope, both of which opened in early June. The northbound Juliet Bridge opened December 2022.

All the new bridges are built on pile footings to withstand high water levels and feature longer spans than the previous bridges to reduce the effects of erosion from changing water paths over time, further improving the long-term resiliency of the Coquihalla to extreme weather events. The remaining two bridges are expected to be completed later this year.

The new bridges were completed by KEA5, a joint venture between Kiewit and Emil Anderson Construction (EAC). KEA5 also completed the new Juliet Bridge. Crews are on track to complete all six permanent bridge replacements by the end of 2023.

The Coquihalla was closed to regular vehicle traffic on Nov. 14, 2021, due to damage caused by extreme rain and flooding. More than 20 sites between Hope and Merritt were damaged. Workers were able to get the Coquihalla re-opened in 35 days.

Work will continue throughout 2023 to complete the permanent repairs to the Coquihalla. The area remains a construction zone and drivers are reminded to slow down and drive to conditions. Drivers can expect to see on-going speed and traffic pattern changes.

Key Takeaways:

• Work will happen in two phases. The first will wrap in 2026 and the second in 2029. 
• The project’s estimated budget is $336.5 million. 
• The redevelopment plan includes a three-storey addition and extensive renovations to the existing facility.

The Whole Story:

The Cariboo-Chilcotin region is set to witness a major boost in healthcare services as the long-awaited redevelopment of Cariboo Memorial Hospital enters its construction phase. The upgraded facility aims to improve access to care for residents of Williams Lake and the surrounding area, including the First Nations communities of the Secwépemc, Tŝilhqot’in, and Dãkelh Dené.

With an estimated project budget of $366.5 million, the redevelopment of Cariboo Memorial Hospital marks a significant investment in the health and well-being of the Cariboo-Chilcotin communities. The initiative, a collaborative effort involving the province, Interior Health, and the Cariboo Chilcotin Regional Hospital District, was officially celebrated this month.

Health Minister Minister Dix expressed his excitement about the commencement of construction, emphasizing the project’s potential to enhance the hospital’s capacity and create a modern working environment.

 “The redevelopment of the Cariboo Memorial Hospital represents a significant investment in the Cariboo-Chilcotin communities’ health and well-being, now and into the future,” said Dix. “That is why it is so exciting to be with the community today to celebrate the start of construction that will increase the hospital’s capacity and provide a modern working environment.”

The redevelopment plan includes a three-storey addition and extensive renovations to the existing facility. The hospital’s bed capacity will see a substantial increase, with the addition of 25 new beds, bringing the total to 53. Among the enhancements are a new medical/surgical inpatient unit with 36 beds, a mental-health and substance-use inpatient unit featuring eight single-occupancy rooms, a patient-seclusion room, and an expanded ambulatory-care and oncology unit with 16 renovated treatment spaces.

One of the most crucial components of the project is the establishment of a new emergency department, which will feature 23 treatment spaces, two trauma-treatment bays, a seclusion room, an ambulance carport, and a separate public entrance. Furthermore, the expansion will include an upgraded maternity and women’s health unit with four single-occupancy rooms for maternity care, two nursery rooms, and two women’s health beds in private rooms, allowing parents to stay with their newborns until they are ready to go home.

Apart from the enhanced clinical areas, the redevelopment plan incorporates several ancillary facilities. The pharmacy will undergo expansion, providing additional space for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians. The addition of an interfaith sacred space will enable traditional cultural and healing practices, while the provision of 71 new parking stalls aims to alleviate parking constraints.

The importance of improved healthcare accessibility in rural and remote regions was highlighted by Jennifer Rice, Parliamentary Secretary for Rural Health.

“Our government is taking action to help people who are facing challenges accessing care in rural and remote areas,” said Rice. “This fully redeveloped hospital will provide expanded access to a state-of-the-art facility for people in Cariboo-Chilcotin to help them get the services they need.”

The construction of Cariboo Memorial Hospital will occur in two phases. The first phase, including the three-storey addition, is expected to conclude in 2026. Subsequently, Phase 2 will commence, encompassing further renovations, and is slated for completion in 2029.

Susan Brown, President and CEO of Interior Health, expressed her appreciation for the involvement of First Nations partners in the design process. “Beginning construction on the redevelopment of Cariboo Memorial Hospital is a significant milestone. I know the people of Williams Lake and surrounding communities are looking

A city’s skyline – the shape, size, and arrangement of its towering buildings – is part of its character. And anytime a new significant tower goes up, those features change. They also represent one of the ways Canada’s growing cities can densify: going up. Here are ten examples of major tower projects under construction or in development that are transforming our urban centres.

The One

Currently under construction, The One is vying to be Canada’s tallest building. Situated at Yonge and Bloor Streets in Toronto, the 85-storey tower will combine seven levels of retail and restaurants, a 175-room hotel and a roughly 60-floor stack of condo apartments with multilevel penthouses. However, the team is asking the city to let them go to 94 storeys. The owner, Mizrahi Developments, explained that the design scheme pushes the structure to the edges of the building. On each of its four sides are two “mega-columns,” as the architects call them, with diagonal bracing that extends up the façades, suspending a series of rectangular blocks within. The project team includes architect Foster + Partners, Clark Construction Management, Walters Group and RJC Engineers.

Senákw

Sen̓áḵw is a development project on 10.5-acres of Squamish Nation land located on Kits Point adjacent to Vanier Park in Vancouver. It is taking place on lands under the governance of the Squamish Nation.It includes 11 towers around the south end of the Burrard Street Bridge with the largest tower set to be 58 storeys. There will be around 6,000 rental units and Khelsilem said about 250 of those will be earmarked for Squamish Nation members, though that figure could change.

Forma

Superstar architect Frank Gehry is returning to his roots with Forma, a mixed-use development, located at Downtown Toronto’s 266-284 King Street West. The project will feature two residential towers – one will be 73 stories and the other will be 84 stories with a total of 2034 condominiums – commercial and retail spaces and a new space for OCAD University. It will be Gehry’s most substantial work in his birthplace. 

Canada Earth Tower

Although there are no current plans to build, a team has been researching and testing how to build taller with mass timber. Using a mass timber hybrid technique, the team designed a concept for a 40-storey mixed-use tower that—if built—would be the tallest of its kind in the world. The concept employs Passive House principles and targets zero-emissions, refraining from consuming fossil fuels in its operation. Designed to improve livability in tall urban buildings, the team integrated generous social spaces and gardens that offer an immediate connection to nature.

Pinnacle One Yonge

Pinnacle One Yonge is a mixed-use development rising in Toronto. The plans call for six skyscrapers ranging in height. The building known as the SkyTower aims to be Canada’s tallest building once built at 95 storeys but the project team is asking the city to let them take it to 105 storeys. 

Union Park

At 4.3-million square feet, Oxford Properties’ Union Park will be one of the largest mixed-use developments in Toronto history. It includes two new office towers, 200,000 square feet of retail, 800 family-oriented rental units across two buildings, as well as a three-acre urban park built over the Union Station rail corridor. One of the office towers will be over 300 metres tall. 

Niagara 77

The name says it all: a 77-storey tower in Niagara Falls, Ont. The project is looking to claim the title of tallest condo building in Canada. Fudzi International Group’s plans for the tower were approved earlier this year. The design of the building comes from Chamberlain Architects. 

Maestria

Maestria is bringing things together. It’s the largest mixed-use residential project in Quebec and includes the highest residential tower in Montreal. The project includes a 58 and 61-storey tower joined by the province’s highest ever skybridge. The team says the design was inspired by the architecture in the largest cathedrals of the Renaissance.

Jericho Lands

The xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) Indian Band, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) Nation, and sə̓lílwətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nation (collectively the MST Partnership), who own the site in a joint venture partnership with Canada Lands Company (CLC), recently unveiled new plans for Vancouver’s Jericho Lands. The mega project concept features many towers over 20 storeys and three that are 49 storeys. The city and developers are currently gathering feedback on the plans from residents. 

Library Parcel

These two Ottawa towers – 31 and 36 storeys – will create a transit-oriented, mixed-income, mixed-use and sustainable community. The design is being led by Perkins&Will and KPMB Architects, and supported by Two Row Architect and Purpose Building. There will be a focus on making sure a significant portion of rental units are affordable. Construction is expected to begin this year.

Key Takeaways:

• Graham Design Builders LP has been named the preferred proponent for the new Dawson Creek and District Hospital in B.C. 
• Construction is expected to begin in July 2023, with substantial completion in fall 2026. The new hospital is expected to be ready for patients in 2027.
• The existing hospital will remain operational during construction. Future use of the current site will be determined after the new hospital is in operation.

The Whole Story:

Graham Design Builders LP has been named the preferred proponent for the new Dawson Creek and District Hospital in B.C. 

Northern Health and Infrastructure BC have tasked Graham Design Builders LP with completing the design and building the new $590-million hospital. Construction is expected to start next month. 

“Our government has reached an important milestone with the Dawson Creek and District Hospital with the selection of the preferred proponent and the signing of the Design Build Agreement,” said Adrian Dix, minister of health. “People in the community and the region should expect to see work at the site in the weeks and months ahead as construction begins on the new and expanded hospital in Dawson Creek, and this is fantastic news.”

Construction is expected to begin in July 2023, with substantial completion in fall 2026. The new hospital is expected to be ready for patients in 2027.

“We are taking action to improve access to health care for every person in B.C., no matter where they live,” said Jennifer Rice, parliamentary secretary for rural health. “This new hospital means that when people in Dawson Creek and surrounding communities need care they can access quality services without travelling long distances.”

The new building will be approximately 24,500 square metres (263,000 square feet) and have 70 beds, an increase of 24. The emergency department is also doubling in size. Treatment spaces are increasing from 10 to 15. The facility will continue to provide a range of surgical services, as well as chemotherapy, ambulatory care, radiology, clinical support and pharmacy services.

There will also be space for a laboratory, diagnostic imaging, as well as physical rehabilitation. New parents and families will be supported by a perinatal unit, including labour, delivery, recovery and post-partum rooms, and a nursery. Mental-health service delivery will be brought up to modern standards with a new inpatient suite and an increase of beds from 15 to 18.

“This announcement is wonderful news and an important investment for Dawson Creek and the network of communities served by the Dawson Creek and District Hospital,” said Colleen Nyce, chair of Northern Health’s board of directors. “This new facility will strengthen and improve health-care services for residents in the region, as well as the physicians and staff who provide care in this hospital.”

The hospital will be built in Treaty 8 territory, the ancestral home of the Beaver, Cree, Saulteau, Sicannie (Sikanni), and Slavey. The hospital serves the communities of Blueberry River First Nation, Doig River First Nation, Fort Nelson First Nation, Halfway River First Nation, communities of Kelly Lake, Prophet River First Nation, Saulteau First Nations, and West Moberly First Nations; as well as Métis, Inuit, and urban Indigenous populations within the Peace region of Treaty 8 territory.

Local First Nations are being consulted throughout the project to ensure that the new facility is culturally safe, welcoming, respectful and relevant. The new facility will include a spiritual room for use by people of all cultures and faiths. There is also work being done to further the inclusion of Indigenous people within the facility and project, pending input and feedback from the committees and working groups.

The project cost is approximately $590 million, which will be shared between the Province through Northern Health, and the Peace River Regional Hospital District. The district will contribute a maximum of $177 million.

“This announcement is exciting news. The new hospital will provide a modern care facility for the residents of the Peace region for years to come,” said Leonard Hiebert, chair, Peace River Regional Hospital District. “The Peace River Regional Hospital District is a proud supporter of this new facility and we look forward to the start of construction on this very important project.”

The existing hospital will remain operational during construction. Future use of the current site will be determined after the new hospital is in operation.

Key Takeaways:

• The project is expected to cost $4.15 billion.
• Concurrently, the project is progressing through the province’s environmental assessment process.
• Once the tunnel is completed, travel is expected to flow at 80 kilometres per hour, unlike the current average of 30 kilometres per hour.

The Whole Story:

A request for qualifications (RFQ) has been issued to replace the 64-year-old George Massey Tunnel with a new eight-lane, toll-free immersed tube tunnel.

“This is a major milestone in the project to replace the George Massey Tunnel,” said Rob Fleming, minister of transportation and infrastructure. “We are making significant progress on this important project that will improve travel times and transit options for people who live on both sides of the Fraser River.”

Following the RFQ, the province says it will issue a request for proposals (RFP) from a shortlist of qualified teams to select a single proponent to move forward in the procurement process. Concurrently, the project is progressing through the province’s environmental assessment process. Corridor improvements and construction of a new five-lane Steveston Interchange are already underway.

The new crossing will be an eight-lane immersed tube tunnel with three general-purpose travel lanes and one dedicated transit lane in each direction. The new tunnel will have bike and pedestrian crossings to support active transportation options in the region. The project also includes replacing the existing Deas Slough Bridge as well as the addition of a southbound general-purpose lane on Highway 99 between Westminster Highway in Richmond and Highway 17 in Delta.

With the new tunnel and approaches in place, travel is expected to flow at 80 kilometres per hour, unlike the current average of 30 kilometres per hour.

The project will be constructed under a project labour agreement, similar to the Steveston Interchange. The project labour agreement is intended to support local jobs, apprentices and training opportunities, as well as maximize participation of groups under-represented in the construction sector. 

The estimated cost of the George Massey Crossing immersed tube tunnel is approximately $4.15 billion.

Plans to replace the tunnel have been in the works for years. Previously, the province planned to build a new 10-lane bridge over the Fraser River instead of a tunnel. However, the NDP scrapped these plans, calling them rushed and not well thought out.

Key Takeaways:

• AECOM has signed an agreement with Ukraine to serve as its reconstruction delivery partner and provide infrastructure and program management advisory support during reconstruction.
• The company stated that early engagement, a comprehensive programmatic approach, and global collaboration across governments and the private sector will be key for the project.
• AECOM will has also been tasked with providing preliminary integrated cost estimating and other engineering support for many of the country’s complex and critical infrastructure projects.

The Whole Story:

Global infrastructure consulting giant AECOM will assist with the reconstruction of war-torn Ukraine. 

The company announced that it has signed a memorandum of understanding with Ukraine’s ministry for communities, territories and infrastructure development to serve as its reconstruction delivery partner and provide infrastructure and program management advisory support to help Ukraine achieve its reconstruction goals.

“The reconstruction of Ukraine is one of the world’s greatest humanitarian and infrastructure priorities, and we are honored to partner with Deputy Prime Minister Kubrakov and the Ukrainian government to help position this effort to successfully deliver on their long-term recovery ambitions,” said Troy Rudd, AECOM’s chief executive officer. “Through early engagement, a comprehensive programmatic approach, and global collaboration across governments and the private sector, we can work to restore and modernize Ukraine’s infrastructure.”

To help ensure the timeliness and effectiveness of Ukraine’s reconstruction, AECOM will assist the ministry with the design and establishment of an overall program management approach. The company stated that its program management technical expertise will help aid in the efficient delivery of a wide range of interdependent reconstruction projects. AECOM will also provide the ministry infrastructure advisory support with the goal of creating opportunities for public and private investors to participate in the future reconstruction of Ukraine’s infrastructure.

Additionally, AECOM has announced that it has signed a memorandum of cooperation with Ukraine’s state agency for restoration and development of infrastructure to advance preliminary integrated cost estimating and other engineering support for many of the country’s complex and critical infrastructure projects. The scope of this memorandum encompasses key activities to help Ukraine transition to international-based standards for cost estimation, establish procurement practices and provide integrated consulting engineering services.

AECOM noted that it is no stranger to this type of work. It and its legacy companies have delivered major reconstruction work on behalf of clients in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Bosnia, as well as post-natural disaster reconstruction in the United States, Nepal, Haiti, Japan, Indonesia, and the Caribbean.

An Ontario developer is no longer allowed to sell or build homes in the province after an investigation revealed a pattern of illegal and unethical actions.

These practices included gouging customers on prices, forging building permit applications and failing to warranty homes. 

Mississauga-based Pinetree Developments Inc. was investigated by the Home Construction Regulatory Authority (HCRA) after complaints from purchasers.

HCRA found that Pinetree had raised the price of a home under construction – despite a signed contract – and then attempted to resell that same property at a higher price when the original purchaser refused the increase and launched litigation. The company also falsified building permit applications, failed to enrol properties with Tarion as part of its warranty obligations, ignored City of Mississauga orders and repeatedly failed to respond to HCRA inspection letters and compliance orders.

“Any one of these actions would be cause for concern. Together they show a company unfit for a licence,” said Wendy Moir, the HCRA’s CEO and registrar. “Consumers must be protected from dishonest, unethical and unprofessional conduct, so the HCRA is revoking Pinetree’s licence to build and sell new homes.”

In December 2022, the HCRA commenced an inspection into Pinetree’s business operations, which uncovered a series of unethical and illegal activities:

• Despite a binding Agreement of Purchase and Sale (APS) on a Mississauga property, Pinetree sought to significantly increase the price.
• Pinetree refused to close the transaction and, despite numerous extensions, construction is not complete. The HCRA cannot confirm the cause for the delays because Pinetree failed to produce documents and respond to the HCRA’s concerns despite a Compliance Order requiring them to do so.
• After the purchaser refused to agree to the price increase, Pinetree listed the property for sale at a higher price on Realtor.com, despite the binding APS and a Certificate of Pending Litigation being registered.
• In order to obtain building permits from the City of Mississauga, Pinetree falsely identified the name and credentials of another builder, without their knowledge.
• Pinetree has started construction on or already built at least five homes without enrolling the homes with Tarion, as required by law.
• The HCRA received a complaint from the city of Mississauga indicating that Pinetree began construction on a home before the city issued a building permit. Once the City discovered that Pinetree had done so, it issued an order to immediately stop construction. Pinetree did not. The City then issued a second order but Pinetree still continued to build.
• Pinetree has never provided the HCRA with any documents or information to address the HCRA’s concerns.

“One of the standards for a licence is financial viability and responsibility,” Moir said. “Pinetree’s failure to produce relevant financial documents during the HCRA’s inspection created serious doubt about their ability to meet this standard.”

These are not the first infractions for Pinetree. In 2018, the company was charged and convicted in provincial court for illegally acting as a vendor of a new home. Patricia Perruzza, a principal, officer, and director for Pinetree, was also charged and convicted of two counts of illegally building and selling a new home, in relation to a previous licence held by Pinetree.

“Pinetree had the opportunity to appeal the HCRA’s formal notice that their licence would be revoked but did not do so,” Moir explained. “Under those circumstances, the licence revocation is automatic and immediate.”

Modular construction methods are being applied to a wide range of projects including homes, schools, hotels, correctional facilities and even nuclear reactors.

Why are clients turning to modular companies to deliver these projects? Several themes emerge. First, many of these projects need to get built fast. Second, they are often in remote or intense environments that are difficult to access and present weather challenges.

With modular construction, much of the work can be done off-site under controlled conditions. These projects tend to use the same materials and are designed to the same codes and standards as conventionally built facilities – but in about half the time.

Many of these projects are also able to achieve extremely high levels of performance.

Micro-modular reactor

Aecon Group Inc. is partnering with E.S. Fox Limited to build North America’s first grid-scale small modular reactor (SMR) Ontario’s Darlington New Nuclear Project (DNNP). Through the IPD partnership, Aecon has formed a teaming agreement with E.S. Fox to jointly fabricate steel components offsite at Aecon’s fabrication facility in Cambridge and E.S. Fox’s Port Robinson facility. These components will be welded into sub-assemblies and shipped to the DNNP project site where they will be built into larger modules on-site and used to construct the primary steel structure of the reactor building. Leveraging a modular approach to help build the BWRX-300 SMR, a new class of nuclear reactor, is expected to achieve reduced construction costs.

East King Edward Avenue 

Bird Construction has been chosen to help build a 14-storey modular project in Vancouver – the tallest of its kind in Canada. The company announced it has been awarded a construction management services contract for BC Housing‘s Permanent Supportive Housing Initiative, located on East King Edward Avenue in Vancouver. The 14-storey modular project is valued at approximately $50 million. The project is part of a joint agreement between the city of Vancouver, BC Housing, and the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) to deliver a minimum of 300 permanent supportive homes on five city-owned sites. 

Speedstac

Speedstac is a modular construction system developed by Sparkbird, an innovation lab hatched from Toronto architecture firm WZMH. The system allows for rapid and efficient construction of buildings using prefabricated modules. The modules are designed as light, self-contained rooms with built-in electrical and plumbing services, making them easy to transplant into existing building infrastructure. Speedstac can be rapidly deployed to first analyze a damaged or partially destroyed building, then fabricate a module to replace rooms without the need to demolish the entire building.bArchitects in Ukraine are beginning to design new buildings using the Speedstac system in several projects ranging from single-family homes to schools.

Selkirk College

Modular methods are being used by Selklirk College to house students at its Nelson and Castlegar campuses in B.C. The first project, a $33.9-million facility is being constructed by Scott Builders and ROC Modular in Nelson, saw units being lifted into place last month. Built indoors at a massive temperature-controlled facility in the community of Bow Island, the modular units come complete with drywall, insulation, windows, cabinets, interior paint, electrical/plumbing and flooring. The Castlegar project is expected to be assembled this month.

Nanaimo Courtyard by Marriott

Nexii partnered with PEG Companies to deliver the exterior building envelope for the long-awaited Courtyard by Marriott hotel in Nanaimo on Vancouver Island. The nine-storey hotel includes 750 exterior panels. Pieces were manufactured off-site at Squamish-based Nexii production facility with integrated finishes, services and windows​. Nexii’s proprietary system allows high-tech panels to fit together like jigsaw pieces onsite to create an airtight building envelope. The hotel’s opening was recently celebrated with songs and blessings from Snuneymuxw First Nation.

My Home Place

My Home Place is a supportive housing project in Dawson Creek, B.C. The 3-storey, permanent modular building features 32 self-contained studio homes, including 2 accessible units. It houses people experiencing homelessness and provides support programs to community members in need. The NRB Modular Solutions project went beyond the stringent criteria of the BC Energy Step Code and achieved Passive House-level airtightness. The design team’s goal for the project was to increase the overall performance of the building through sustainable construction materials and improved energy efficiency.

Thunderbay Correctional Facility

Officials in Thunderbay, Ont. turned to Stack Modular when they were planning to replace a correctional complex to improve the facility’s health, safety and security. Stack allowed the build to be 80% offsite modular, greatly minimizing schedule, labor and seasonal challenges common in northern Ontario. In a rare move for a correctional facility project, the Stack/Bird team engaged with local indigenous communities to incorporate their ideas into the design. The project features wayfinding in multiple languages including Cree Ojibway, Michif, French and English. It has circular smudging rooms, indigenous Art opportunities, landscapes that included fire pits, sweat lodges, and teepees. The indigenous communities also had a major influence in selecting the prominent plants throughout the exercise yards design.

Secwépemc Child and Family Services Agency building

Another project by NRB Modular, the Secwépemc Child and Family Services (SCFS) Agency building was carefully designed to not interfere with the archaeological sensitive zones of the property according to the heritage conservation bylaw. Work on the Kamloops, B.C. project was immensely streamlined as as the modules were constructed at a factory two blocks from the site. NRB was able to produce one module a day on average in their heated plant. The project also includes a state-of-the-art Kaba Access Control System for getting in and out of the building.

Cedar Valley Lodge

With an estimated price tag of $40 billion, LNG Canada is literally the largest project underway in Canada. And modular construction is helping house the thousands of workers needed to get it done. The more than 86,000-square-foot facility was built through the COVID-19 pandemic and working offsite helped prevent the spread of illness. Stack Modular stated that the inherent capabilities of its steel frame design and Asian-based manufacturing lent themselves perfectly to the region’s climactic concerns and the turnkey furniture, fixtures and equipment opportunities.

Norway House Cree Nation

Norway House Cree Nation, a community roughly 800 km north of Winnipeg, need housing and they needed it fast. To address the crisis, they partnered with Bison Modular homes to develop a modular system that would provide safe, mold-free homes. The steel panel units can be shipped anywhere the nation need them. The project has been so successful that officials want to move some of the Bison Modular Homes manufacturing closer to the Nation so that residents can be more involved in the process.

Graham Infrastructure LP will help prepare the way for Calgary’s Green Line.

The Green Line Board selected Graham to build the 78 Avenue S.E. Grade Separation and Ogden Pedestrian Tunnel Project.

Before building the Ogden LRT station and tracks, the 78th Avenue Project will complete vehicle and pedestrian tunnels under the Canadian Pacific Kansas City Railway (CPKC) railway corridor to enhance mobility and pedestrian safety around the future Green Line LRT Ogden Station.

The city noted that Graham, which is based in Calgary, brings its extensive experience from major infrastructure projects across North America to the Green Line LRT Project. With approximately 26 trains per day operating on CPKC’s main line, the complex enabling works project is expected to reduce project and schedule risk as Green Line prepares for main LRT construction. Once the tunnel at 78 Avenue S.E. is complete and open to traffic, the vehicle crossing at 69 Avenue S.E., east of Ogden Road, will be permanently closed.

“Green Line has prioritized opportunities that advance construction, reduce risk, and support local job creation. Partnering with Graham to deliver this critical project speaks directly to this commitment,” said Darshpreet Bhatti, CEO, Green Line LRT Program.

With construction beginning shortly and extending through to summer 2025, the Green Line plans to work closely with the Ogden community to mitigate impacts, as best as possible. 

The city noted that as Green Line moves through the Development Phase for Phase 1, from Shepard to Eau Claire, additional opportunities for local contractors, trades and suppliers will continue.  Officials said the start of the Implementation Phase and main construction remain on track to begin in 2024.

Something big is brewing in Port Moody, B.C. 

No, it’s not just beer from the city’s popular “Brewer’s Row”. It’s a massive development set to take shape over the next decade. Rather than transform 24 acres of the the city into buildings, developers plan to preserve large amounts of greenspace for the public to enjoy. 

EDGAR Development is the company behind Portwood, the $1.1 billion master-planned multi-family mixed use project that will add thousands of homes to the region. 

“Driving through Port Moody, we became aware of the property that was for sale and instantly it was ‘wow, what is this’,” said  Matthew McClenaghan, EDGAR senior vice president of development. “It’s 24 acres, lots of green space, lots of open space, what a great opportunity to work on a master plan community.”

In the past, EDGAR has built primarily market rental buildings. But about five years ago it decided to focus more on building strata homes and master-planned type communities in particular.

“I think starting with a 24-acre property really allows us to be creative,” said McClenaghan.

The creative vision is big. Once complete, Portwood will include 20 buildings in five new neighbourhoods. It will create just over 2,000 new market strata apartments, 138 new market rentals and 328 below market rentals.

The community will also have a new grocer, retail stores and a 12,300-square-foot child care facility.

The team plans to keep much of the site green. The plan includes two parks, a 1.5-kilometre-long walking trail and bike paths. In total, around 70% of the total development will be green space. This includes the protection and enhancement of more than five acres of environmentally sensitive areas.

“Certainly respecting nature is the the forefront,” said McClenaghan.

While the vision is big, McClenaghan noted that the plan for Portwood is slow growth. 

“We aren’t dropping 2,000 homes on the doorstep on day one,” he said. “ It’s a multi-phased community that will be built over 10-15 years.”

But when it comes to amenities and affordable housing, EDGAR doesn’t want to make its neighbhours wait.  

“Every community that we build is unique,” said McClenaghan. “Certainly in the larger, master-planned communities that have lots of amenities, it’s a balancing act. It’s important for us to deliver amenities up front in the earlier phases. That’s one of the challenges financially, but it’s just something we believe in. It’s best for the community to have these things up front but typically, you’d see them trail at the end.” 

He added that Portwood’s presentation centre is built and open, and EDGAR is in the process of pre-sales. He anticipates starting construction sometime this fall.

Key Takeaways:

• Modular fabrication will be used to construct North America’s first grid-scale small modular reactor (SMR).
• Aecon has formed a teaming agreement with E.S. Fox to jointly fabricate steel components offsite at Aecon’s fabrication facility in Cambridge and E.S. Fox’s Port Robinson facility.
• The SMR will deliver 300 MW of electricity, which is enough to power 300,000 homes. 

The Whole Story:

Aecon Group Inc. is partnering with E.S. Fox Limited to use innovative methods on a historic nuclear project. 

The companies plan to utilize modular fabrication to construct North America’s first grid-scale small modular reactor (SMR) through Ontario Power Generation’s (OPG’s) Darlington New Nuclear Project (DNNP). 

Aecon is the provider of all construction services for the DNNP, including project management, construction planning and execution as part of an Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) partnership with OPG, GE Hitachi and SNC-Lavalin. E.S. Fox is currently completing early site preparation work at the DNNP location. Through the IPD partnership, Aecon has formed a teaming agreement with E.S. Fox to jointly fabricate steel components offsite at Aecon’s fabrication facility in Cambridge and E.S. Fox’s Port Robinson facility. 

These components will be welded into sub-assemblies and shipped to the DNNP project site where they will be built into larger modules on-site and used to construct the primary steel structure of the reactor building. Leveraging a modular approach to help build the BWRX-300 SMR, a new class of nuclear reactor, will contribute to achieving reduced construction costs.

“This modular fabrication partnership is a made-in-Ontario solution, illustrating the strength of Ontario’s robust nuclear supply chain – a network that is critical to deploying the future of nuclear in Ontario and beyond,” said Thomas Clochard, executive vice president, nuclear and civil, Aecon. “Aecon is playing an important role in delivering the next generation of nuclear plants. We look forward to combining the collective capacity and expertise of Aecon and E.S. Fox to execute this important fabrication scope while working with our project partners to ensure the supply of clean, reliable and affordable electricity to support local communities and global net-zero goals.”

According to Aecon, the DNNP could create approximately 2,500 jobs.

“E.S. Fox is excited to work with Aecon on this important and initial scope for this first-of-a-kind project,” said Pat Cimek, vice president, construction and fabrication services, E.S. Fox. “With the experience of both companies, we look forward to building large sections of the structure at the two facilities leveraging a modular approach and shipping them to the DNNP project site – helping reduce field labour and equipment costs, improving the overall project schedule, and supporting high-paying skilled jobs in Niagara Region.”

The new SMR at Darlington will be Ontario’s first nuclear reactor build in a generation. It will deliver 300 MW of electricity, which is enough to power 300,000 homes. The province currently has 15 nuclear reactors in operation – and three reactors under refurbishment – at three sites, providing over 50 per cent of the province’s clean electricity.

Speak now or forever hold your peace.

The province of B.C. wants to know your thoughts on changes to the building code.

Officials are asking residents in a province-wide survey for their input on future building construction, including cooling requirements and accessibility standards in the BC Building Code.

“Our government is committed to more accessible, safer and more climate-resilient buildings for people, now and in the future,” said Ravi Kahlon, minister of housing. “That is why we are updating the BC Building Code to ensure that buildings and spaces across the province reflect the needs of everyone. We look forward to reviewing feedback from experts and the public to ensure that the changes we are proposing will provide benefits in the years to come.”

The proposed changes to the BC Building Code are based on the 2020 National Model Codes with some B.C.-specific variations to reflect the province’s geography, climate, local government needs, industry practices and provincial priorities, such as accessibility.

A four-week public review invites interested parties to review and comment on a variety of proposed building code changes, including:

• accessibility and adaptable dwellings
• cooling requirements
• mass timber construction
• earthquake design
• radon safety, and
• ventilation in houses

Those interested in participating can find more information through the province’s online survey.

The survey is open until June 16.

Topical summaries of draft code language are provided for review. In addition, the survey provides draft accessibility code language that was informed by early engagement with the public and industry on opportunities to increase accessibility in new buildings and homes.

“Eliminating barriers to accessibility is a core motive in our efforts to making our province a safe and barrier-free place to live in,” said Susie Chant, parliamentary secretary for accessibility. “We are taking action on what we have heard in our engagements with British Columbians, especially people living with disabilities. That is why we are updating the standards in our building code to support everyone in their day-to-day activities.”

The Ministry of Housing will review and consider all feedback in drafting the updated building code.

The province anticipates adopting the updated BC Building Code this year and bringing it into force this December. Officials stated that the transition period will give local governments, the construction industry, education providers and others governed by the code time to adjust their practices and training materials.

Key Takeaways:

• Crews are scheduled to work on more than 17,000 metres of roadway length and 11 bridges.
• Residents will see work continue on new and existing LRT lines in 2023.
• The city’s $7 billion 2023-26 Capital Budget includes more than $1.7 billion in infrastructure renewal.

The Whole Story:

The city of Edmonton is embarking on another busy construction season with more than 200 projects already on the go or set to get started.

“We are building Edmonton with purpose,” said Mayor Amarjeet Sohi. “As we become a city of two million people over the coming decades, we strive to be an inclusive and compassionate community of communities. Every single infrastructure project in the 2023 season is a step toward that future.”

According to Edmonton officials, the construction projects will directly employ more than 4,600 people from the Edmonton region, support the local economy, build climate resilience, contribute to a healthy city and help prepare for future population growth.

officials noted that LRT expansion will continue to be a critical component of its integrated mass transit network and residents will see work continue on new and existing LRT lines in 2023.

“In 2022, ETS buses and trains travelled more than 46 million kilometres, which is the equivalent of 1,711 trips around the world,” said Adam Laughlin, deputy city manager, integrated infrastructure services. “Investing in LRT expansion and Bus Rapid Transit will ensure green modes of transportation continue to get Edmontonians where they need to go.”

Construction on major road projects such as the Yellowhead Trail Freeway Conversion and the Terwillegar Drive Expansion also continues this year. Yellowhead Trail and Terwillegar Drive are key arterial routes connecting Edmontonians across the city. The projects also include active transportation upgrades, such as new shared pathways.

Crews are scheduled to work on more than 17,000 metres of roadway length and 11 bridges in 2023.

Through the Neighbourhood Renewal Program, more than 100 kilometres of residential roads and sidewalks and 23 kilometres of alleys will be renewed in 17 neighbourhoods across the city.

The 124 Street streetscape project is set to start the second and final year of construction this spring, with upgrades to the road, lighting and street lights, and drainage systems to the area. The project also adds more than 150 trees and planting areas to the street. Officials noted that this is part of city’s goal to provide 30 per cent canopy coverage.

The three-year William Hawrelak Park renewal project that will see the replacement of 50-year-old underground utilities, transportation networks, open spaces and facility infrastructure is now underway.

Residents will soon see construction around the Edmonton-Strathcona Footbridge, as the city works with Strathcona County and the River Valley Alliance to improve access and connectivity to the trail systems in the River Valley.

“As we assess and plan for these construction projects, we look for opportunities to balance investment in new infrastructure while caring for what already exists,” said Laughlin. “We’re working on the roads, bridges and pathways Edmontonians need and use every day to move around the city.”

The $7 billion 2023-26 Capital Budget includes more than $1.7 billion in infrastructure renewal.

Toronto has more than a billion dollars of work scheduled for this construction season. 

Deputy Mayor Jennifer McKelvie says the city’s 2023 construction season has more than $1.14 billion of work planned for roads, bridges, expressways, TTC tracks, sewers and watermains. McKelvie explained that the work ensures that Toronto’s infrastructure remains in a state of good repair and meets the needs of Toronto residents both now and in the future.

“The city of Toronto is committed to renewing and upgrading our infrastructure and we are investing more than $1.14 billion this year in these vital projects,” said McKelvie. “The 2023 construction season is going to be busy and we continue to actively coordinate this work to minimize disruption as best as possible. However, with so many projects happening this year, we’re encouraging everyone to plan their travel in advance. We appreciate your patience while we deliver this important and necessary work.”

How the money will be spent

$426 million for rehabilitation and improvements to transportation infrastructure including:

• $156 million on bridges, culverts and other transportation infrastructure in the municipal right-of-way

• $65 million on major roads
• $72 million on local roads
•  $68 million on expressways including the F.G. Gardiner Strategic Rehabilitation
•  $42 million on sidewalks and cycling infrastructure
•  $23 million on Vision Zero infrastructure and the Road Safety Plan
• $4.6 million to fix potholes 

Approximately $713 million will be invested in water infrastructure, including:

• $278 million on watermain and water services
• $117 million on local sewer replacement and rehabilitation and forcemains
• $225 million on basement flooding protection
• $93 million on storm water management projects including the Don River and Central Waterfront

Some of the major upcoming projects planned this year include:

• Coxwell Avenue and Gerrard Street East/Eastwood Road streetcar track replacement and watermain replacement
• Broadview Avenue from Gerrard Street East to Danforth Avenue watermain rehabilitation and streetcar track replacement
• Bloor Street West from Avenue Road to Spadina Avenue Road reconstruction, pedestrian safety improvements, permanent raised cycle tracks and intersection improvements
• Adelaide Street from York Street to Victoria Street streetcar track installation
• University Avenue from Queen Street West to College Street watermain replacement and road resurfacing
• Ossington Avenue from Queen Street West to Argyle Street Road resurfacing
• The Queensway from South Kingsway to Ellis Avenue sewer replacement and forcemain renewal
• Bloor Street West over Elmcrest Creek bridge rehabilitation
• Fairbank Memorial Park to Black Creek and various local streets Fairbank Silverthorn tunnel and storm sewers for basement flooding protection
• Rowanwood Avenue, Thornwood Road, Chestnut Park and Roxborough Street replacement of a 100-year-old watermain
• O’Connor Drive from Glenwood Crescent to Bermondsey Road sewer upgrades, new public plaza and green infrastructure improvements
• Martin Grove Road from Rexdale Boulevard to Westhumber Boulevard watermain replacement
• Fenmar Drive from Steeles Avenue West to Weston Road and Kemar Drive from Fenmar Drive to Weston Road watermain rehabilitation
• Keele Street from Steeles Avenue West to Sheppard Avenue West watermain replacement
• Bathurst Manor area including Sheppard Avenue West and Bathurst Street sewer and watermain
• Westgate Avenue and other local streets sewer and watermain upgrades and road resurfacing
• Bathurst Street south of York Downs and other local streets sewer and watermain upgrades
• Victoria Park and Sheppard Avenue East sewer and watermain upgrades
• Allen Road under Lawrence Street West bridge rehabilitation
• Albion Road Bridge, over Humber River bridge rehabilitation
• Jane Street north of Wilson Road upgrading the storm and sanitary sewers
• Bayview Avenue from Lawrence Avenue East to Eglinton Avenue East Road resurfacing and watermain replacement
• Martin Grove Road from Rexdale Boulevard to West Humber Trail watermain replacement
• McCowan Road Bridge over West Highland Creek bridge rehabilitation

Key Takeaways:

• Crosslinx Transit Solutions is taking the province to court over the $12.81-billion transit project.
• The consortium alleges that Metrolinx has failed to officially retain an operator for the line, causing major delays and costs.
• Metrolinx has fired back saying it plans to defend itself and called the move a “delay tactic” when the team should be focused on delivering a detailed schedule for completing the project.

The Whole Story:

As the Eglinton Crosstown LRT project in Toronto nears completion, the consortium tasked with delivering and maintaining the line announced its plans to take Metrolinx to court. 

This month Crosslinx Transit Solutions (CTS) said in a statement that it has filed a notice of application with the Ontario Superior Court of Justice aimed at Metrolinx and Infrastructure Ontario. The consortium alleges that Metrolinx, the provincial transit agency, has failed to retain an operator for the unfinished transit line, causing significant delays and costs. 

“CTS has been forced to take this step after months of engagement with Metrolinx about the challenges to the project as a result of Metrolinx having no signed Operating Agreement with the TTC (despite having a decade to do so),” wrote CTS in a statement.

The consortium – which includes ACS-Dragados, Aecon, EllisDon and SNC-Lavalin – explained that it is seeking to be treated fairly so the nearly completed project can wrap up. 

The notice is asking the court to find that Metrolinx has an obligation to enter into a contract with the TTC as the intended operator of the Eglinton Crosstown LRT and bind the TTC to a contract consistent with the project agreement.

“At this late stage of the Eglinton Crosstown project, with construction more than 98% complete, and testing, training and commissioning underway, the TTC is able to make requests and provide input at any time, including at a late stage, that go beyond CTS’ contractual responsibilities,” said CTS. “Metrolinx has refused to manage or take ownership over these late changes requested by the TTC despite the undeniable continual impact on the project schedule. This has resulted in delays to the project outside our control and significant cost overruns which the CTS has continued to incur.” 

Phil Verster, Metrolinx president and CEO responded to the filing calling it “another unacceptable delay tactic” and said CTS should instead be working on submitting a credible project completion schedule. 

“While Metrolinx is driving and supporting CTS to complete the project, CTS is looking for new ways to make financial claims,” said Verster, adding that CTS’s behaviour “continues to be disappointing.”

Verster explained that Metrolinx and the TTC have been working collaboratively for years to get the Eglinton Crosstown LRT ready for customer service, but now require a schedule that describes how they will complete the testing, commissioning, safety and quality rectifications of the rail line.

CTS fired back saying they were disappointed with the characterization of their actions as a “delay tactic”.

CTS stated that rather than cause delays, their action seeks to remove existing barriers to completion. 

“Every single day our team at CTS continues to work diligently, despite the many challenges to deliver a safe and reliable system to the people of our city,” officials said.  

“It is not tenable for CTS to continue working towards shifting standards, requirements and goalposts of project completion.”

Crosslinx Transit Solutions

CTS noted that it has not suspended or stopped any work on the project, however, they are asking the courts to find that CTS is not obligated to continue working on the project while the issues between Metrolinx and the TTC are resolved. 

“It is not tenable for CTS to continue working towards shifting standards, requirements and goalposts of project completion,” they said. 

Verster said that Metrolinx plans to defend itself in cour and that the cost of CTS’s delays are for CTS to bear.

“Metrolinx is already withholding significant payments for poor performance,” said Verster. “We will continue to hold CTS to account and examine every remedy under the Project Agreement to ensure the project is delivered to a high quality and that it is safe and reliable to open.”

Key Takeaways:

• The joint venture includes Chandos and Bird Construction.
• The facility is being built using the Integrated Project Delivery model.
• This facility, built on a 14-acre site at Jennett Avenue, will provide the utility greater efficiency.

The Whole Story:

Halifax Water has chosen Bird-Chandos Joint Venture as the successful proponent for its new facility’s first phase (design validation) in Burnside Business Park. 

Halifax Water’s selection process included assessing each proponent’s approach to designing a new facility, their health, safety, and environmental record, and an assessment of earlier work. 

“The selection of the Bird-Chandos Joint Venture as the successful proponent for the Burnside Operations Depot is a significant step for Halifax Water,” said Louis de Montbrun, acting general manager and CEO of Halifax Water. “This is an exciting project that, once complete, will provide our staff with modern facilities and enhance services for our customers.” 

The contract utilizes Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) with multiple partners, including Bird-Chandos Joint Venture, Group2 Architecture, FBM, CBCL, and Atlantica Mechanical Contractors.

“We look forward to collaborating with our partners to deliver this important project for Halifax Water. Bird has a reputation for successful project delivery within the IPD framework, and we are committed to ensuring that this facility meets the highest standards,” commented Teri McKibbon, president and CEO of Bird Construction. “Our clients are at the forefront of everything we do, and we are proud of our history and reputation for successfully delivering projects that benefit and serve the community.”

Halifax Water explained that the IPD process involves all participants through all design, fabrication, and construction phases. The objectives are to increase productivity, efficiently use resources, and avoid overruns or conflicts during construction.

“Collaborative construction enables the right conditions for project teams to identify and deliver best-value outcomes for owners,” said Tim Coldwell, president of Chandos Construction. “We’re thrilled to be part of the IPD team selected by Halifax Water. We look forward to working alongside Bird Construction and the other IPD partners to deliver the Burnside Operations Depot for the customers and employees of Halifax Water,” says 

Halifax Water stated that by consolidating its operations facilities with the technical services group, the utility can better serve customers. This facility, built on a 14-acre site at Jennett Avenue, will provide greater efficiency by bringing operations currently in four operations depots at Mann Street, Neptune Crescent, Park Avenue, and Bissett Road into one location. Three of these locations are nearing the end of their useful life and must be replaced. 

The utility noted that it has been engaging impacted staff on the project for the past year. The goal is to allow employees to provide insight and feedback before the facility’s design. They added that this includes improving functionality, optimizing the layout, and identifying desired features that reflect and enhance a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work environment.