*Update: Workers have returned to the site after improvements to the weather. However, officials are prepared to evacuate if wildfire conditions change.
The Site C Dam project, a $16-billion hydroelectric project in northern B.C., has halted work due to wildfires.
The project near Fort St. John is over 70% completed and is expected to wrap up next year.
BC Hydro gave the following statement on twitter Tuesday morning:
“We are closely monitoring the Stoddart Creek wildfire. The Site C project is currently under an evacuation alert. As a precaution, we have suspended work at the dam site and are prepared to evacuate if necessary.”
The Peace River Regional District (PRRD) has already issued a series of evacuation orders for people in the area.
On Monday the PRRD issued combined evacuation orders and alerts for the Stoddart Creek and Red Creek wildfires, and a State of Local Emergency is declared for some areas.
“This is a very dangerous situation, and we’re here to support our communities, but we need residents leave immediately when an Evacuation Order is issued as it is not safe to stay behind,” said Mike Watkins, PRRD emergency operations centre director. “It is critical for residents in Evacuation Order areas to leave immediately.”
According to the latest workforce numbers from the project team, Site C has roughly 4,415 people working at the site. With an estimated value of $16 billion, it is one of the largest construction projects in the province.
*Editor’s note: This story will be updated as more information becomes available.
Key Takeaways:
Bruce Power is the world’s largest operating nuclear facility
With this new contract, Shoreline Power Group will execute Fuel Channel and Fuel Replacement work on all six of Bruce Power’s Major Component Replacement projects.
Bruce Power’s refurbishment projects are expected to wrap up in 2033.
The Whole Story:
Shoreline Power Group has been awarded a $1.3-billion contract by Bruce Power.
Shoreline Power Group – a joint venture between Aecon, SNC-Lavalin and AECOM Fuel – will work on the Fuel Channel and Feeder Replacement (FCFR) projects for its remaining Major Component Replacement (MCR) projects in Units 4, 5, 7 and 8.
The announcement comes just days after Bruce Power achieved substantial completion on its Unit 6 MCR project on-time and on-budget. Shoreline Power Group completed the FCFR for Unit 6 and had previously been awarded the Unit 3 MCR project which began March 1. With this new contract, Shoreline Power Group will execute FCFR work on all six of Bruce Power’s MCR project (Units 3-8), helping to extend the life of the site to 2064 and beyond.
“We’re pleased to be able to partner with Shoreline Power Group for the entirety of our Major Component Replacement project over the next decade to perform the major component replacement portion of our Life Extension Program,” said Mike Rencheck, Bruce Power president and CEO. “Part of Shoreline’s commitment is to deliver the next two MCRs more efficiently and cost-effectively than the previous one leveraging our lessons learned and best practices. Our Life Extension program when completed will provide clean energy for the people of Ontario and lifesaving medical isotopes to the world.”
Bruce Power is the world’s largest operating nuclear facility, in addition to producing power, it helps create lifesaving medical isotopes. The company and its partners will refurbish Units 3-8 between 2020 and 2033, a privately funded investment that they expect to generate billions in annual economic benefits in communities throughout the province. According to Bruce Power, It directly and indirectly supports 22,000 jobs annually and inject $4 billion into the province’s economy.
“This contract award underscores the success of our long-term partnership with Bruce Power and we are proud to achieve substantial completion on Unit 6,” said Jean-Louis Servranckx, president and CEO of Aecon Group Inc., on behalf of Shoreline Power Group. “The success of the Unit 6 refurbishment is a testament to the incredible work of our dedicated teams and trades. We look forward to working with our partners to execute the remainder of this critical project with an unwavering commitment to safety, quality, schedule and cost performance. This work supports a net-zero future, creates economic benefits and helps ensure the supply of clean and reliable electricity to meet Ontario’s growing energy demands.”
Todd Smith, Ontario minister of energy, applauded the partnership which says will keep the facility producing clean, reliable and affordable energy.
“We are proud and fortunate to have a world-class nuclear supply chain that is the envy of the world,” he said.
Key Takeaways:
Officials are changing city rules to allow multiplex developments in any neighbourhood.
The city noted that supply of low-rise housing, such as multiplexes, has not kept up with the demand
The city will alter its Official Plan and zoning bylaw to allow the new developments.
The Whole Story:
Toronto is changing its policies to allow for multiplex developments city-wide.
The city’ council’s adopted recommendations will result in amendments to the city’s Official Plan and city-wide zoning bylaw to enable the development of multiplexes – low-rise housing with two, three or four units in a single building – in all neighbourhoods throughout Toronto.
The recommended changes aim to permit more housing in all low-rise neighbourhoods while largely maintaining their built form and landscape amenities.
“Multiplexes have a long history in some Toronto neighbourhoods, providing desirable housing for many different types of households,” said Gregg Lintern, chief planner and executive director, city planning. “Our recommendations to permit multiplex housing across all neighbourhoods will enable property owners to create housing for extended families or rental units for tenants. This is an important step to removing exclusionary zoning and will contribute to the city’s housing goals.”
This initiative is one component of the city’s 2023 Housing Action Plan, which seeks to increase the housing supply within complete, inclusive and sustainable communities with critical infrastructure to support growth.
Officials noted that while there has been housing growth through mid- and high-rise apartment buildings concentrated in densely populated areas of the city, the supply of low-rise housing, such as multiplexes, has not kept up with the demand.
To remove barriers and enable the creation of more low-rise housing, the adopted report recommends an Official Plan Amendment to permit multiplexes in residential areas across the city and a Zoning Bylaw Amendment to implement these permissions in all residential zones. The report also recommends a monitoring program to track uptake and identify issues related to achieving multiplex housing.
The amendments were informed by feedback received through public consultation, including comments submitted to the city in response to the draft amendments.
The full Expanding Housing Options in Neighbourhoods: Multiplex Study – Final Report is available on the city’s website.
Key Takeaways:
Buildings are the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in Toronto.
grants of up to $500,000 will be awarded to each of the buildings to offset the incremental design and construction costs required to achieve maximum emissions reductions.
participants are currently finalizing their designs.
Once complete, the city will develop and publicly release comprehensive case studies.
The Whole Story:
Toronto has revealed the eight buildings participating in the Deep Retrofit Challenge (DRC), a competition-style program with up to $5 million in funding up for grabs.
Through the DRC, grants of up to $500,000 will be awarded to each of the buildings, seven of which are privately-owned, to support deeper-than-planned energy retrofits. The grants will offset the incremental design and construction costs required to achieve maximum greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reductions.
“Reducing emissions from buildings across Toronto is a critical piece of the City’s TransformTO Net Zero Strategy and something we must do quickly to address the climate crisis,” said Jennifer McKelvie, deputy mayor. “Through the Deep Retrofit Challenge, we are accelerating emissions reductions and creating pathways for other buildings to follow. Reducing emissions to net zero will require significant community-wide action and investments by other levels of government.”
Launched in 2022, the DRC aims to accelerate emissions reductions from buildings in Toronto and identify pathways to net zero that can be replicated in other buildings across the city. The retrofits are intended to advance the goals of the TransformTO Net Zero Climate Action Strategy, including the city’s target to reduce community-wide emissions to net zero by 2040, and serve as a catalyst to accelerate deep energy retrofits.
Officials noted that Toronto’s community-wide emissions must be cut in half in the next seven years – by 2030 – to reach the trajectory needed to reach net zero by 2040. Buildings are the largest source of GHG emissions in Toronto today, generating approximately 58 per cent of community-wide emissions, primarily from the burning of natural gas for heating and hot water. The City controls only about five per cent of community-wide emissions directly through its own buildings and operations, making a community-wide effort essential to reaching net zero emissions.
DRC participants are currently finalizing their designs. The process includes an integrated design workshop, energy modelling, the final selection of energy conservation measures and payback calculations. To remain eligible for funding, participants must deliver a final design to the city that verifies that their proposed projects will meet all DRC program requirements, including:
Minimum 50 per cent reduction in the building’s GHG emissions.
Minimum 50 per cent reduction in total energy use intensity.
Payback period of 20 years or less.
Retrofits will be completed by early 2025. Once complete, the city will develop and publicly release comprehensive case studies on completion of the retrofits, including the retrofit designs, utility savings, project costs and lessons learned.
Applications for the DRC were accepted from Aug. 26 to Oct. 31, 2022. The city received 14 applications and accepted 11 conditionally, with eight building owners now fully committed.
More information about participants and their projects is available on the city’s Deep Retrofit Challenge webpage. To receive updates about the projects, residents can ask to be added to a mailing list by emailing drc@toronto.ca.
Here are the challenge participants:
350 Bay Street (Dream Office REIT) Building type: Commercial Office Year built: 1928 Number of storeys: 13 Number of units: 12 Gross Floor Area (m2): 5,406 Estimated greenhouse gas emissions reduction: 53% Estimated total energy use intensity reduction: 73% Total DRC incentive: $500,000
723 Bloor Street West (Dream Unlimited) Building type: Multi-unit residential Year built: 1920 Number of storeys: 4 Number of units: 16 Gross Floor Area (m2): 1,604 Estimated greenhouse gas emissions reduction: 72% Estimated total energy use intensity reduction: 53% Total DRC incentive: $229,384.75
88 College Street (The Governing Council of the University of Toronto) Building type: Commercial office Year built: 1882 Number of storeys: 2 Number of units: N/A Gross Floor Area (m2): 1,748 Estimated greenhouse gas emissions reduction: 95% Estimated total energy use intensity reduction: 72% Total DRC incentive: $285,326
1-15 Field Sparroway; 2-10 Tree Sparroway (Toronto Community Housing) Building type: Multi-unit residential Year built: 1973 Number of storeys: 3 Number of units: 175 Gross Floor Area (m2): 17,414 Estimated greenhouse gas emissions reduction: 82% Estimated total energy use intensity reduction: 50% Total DRC incentive: $500,000
633 Northcliffe Boulevard (Northcliffe Inc.) Building type: Multi-unit residential Year built: 1968 Number of storeys: 11 Number of units: 86 Gross Floor Area (m2): 6,973 Estimated greenhouse gas emissions reduction: 76.5% Estimated total energy use intensity reduction: 52% Total DRC incentive: $500,000
177 St. George Street (Dream Unlimited) Building type: Multi-unit residential Year built: 1963 Number of storeys 8 Number of units: 65 Gross Floor Area (m2): 3,902 Estimated greenhouse gas emissions reduction: 54% Estimated total energy use intensity reduction: 74% Total DRC incentive: $500,000
145 Woodward Avenue (145 Woodward Ave Inc.) Building type: Multi-unit residential Year built: 1955 Number of storeys: 3 Number of units: 11 Gross Floor Area (m2): 870 Estimated greenhouse gas emissions reduction: 80% Estimated total energy use intensity reduction: 57% Total DRC incentive: $151,750
61 Yorkville Avenue (Minto Apartment Limited Partnership) Building type: Mixed-use (multi-unit residential and retail commercial) Year built: 2003 Number of storeys: 18 Number of units: 181 Gross Floor Area (m2): 19,490 Estimated greenhouse gas emissions reduction: 82% Estimated total energy use intensity reduction: 51% Total DRC incentive: $383,750
Key Takeaways:
The work is split into two contracts that total $615 million.
The scope of work includes the construction of additional lanes, seven new bridges, and improvements to ramps and interchanges.
Since the road’s initial construction in the 1970s, Calgary’s population has doubled
The Whole Story:
Aecon has been selected to upgrade Alberta’s busiest highway.
The company announced that Alberta Transportation and Economic Corridors chose them to deliver the Deerfoot Trail Improvements project in Calgary under two contracts with an aggregate value of $615 million.
The company has been selected as the preferred proponent for the $595 million design and construction of improvements to Deerfoot Trail from Douglasdale Boulevard to north of Glenmore Trail. The scope of work includes the construction of additional lanes, seven new bridges, and improvements to ramps and interchanges.
The job is expected to last until the fourth quarter of 2027.
Aecon has also been awarded a $20 million contract for the construction of improvements at Beddington Trail Northwest and 11th Street Northeast, including adding an additional lane in the north and southbound directions, and constructing a ramp to connect 11th Street with Deerfoot Trail North and Beddington Trail.
“We look forward to bringing our experience delivering large scale transportation projects to improve the safety, mobility and capacity of this important corridor,” said Jean-Louis Servranckx, president and CEO of Aecon Group. “This project will benefit growing communities and we are pleased to expand our relationship with Alberta Transportation and Economic Corridors.”
Since the road’s initial construction in the 1970s, Calgary’s population has doubled, more people have access to vehicles, and traffic volumes have continued to increase.
According to the province, 2019 saw the average weekday traffic volumes were 93,000 vehicles/day at Stoney Trail SE and 190,000 vehicles/day at Memorial Drive. Improvements are needed to bring the road’s capacity closer to the current and projected traffic demands, as well as improve the safety and reliability of the transportation corridor.
Key Takeaways:
The design team includes Indigenous design firm Two Row Architect to incorporate Indigenous architectural form.
The team plans to include green building practices, including mass timber, rainwater harvesting, solar energy, geothermal energy, renewable building materials and green roofing.
Demolition of current facilities is slated for winter this year, with an estimated building completion in 2026.
The Whole Story
DIALOG and Two Row Architect have unveiled the design of multi-million-dollar health and wellness complex for Seneca Polytechnic in Toronto.
The architects say the project will be infused with Indigenous design, sustainability and inclusion.
Drawing inspiration from the medicine wheel, the health and wellness Centre will be a destination for students and employees to support their physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual wellness.
On the pre-design of the building, Seneca is working with DIALOG, an integrated design practice, and Indigenous design firm Two Row Architect to incorporate Indigenous architectural form.
“The Health and Wellness Centre will be the heartbeat of Seneca,” said Erik Skouris, Two Row Architecture, design lead. “The outcome of this circular design signifying a drum demonstrates that the Centre will provide a holistic healing approach within the lives of the students based on Indigenous ways of seeing, understanding and being in the world that extends beyond the mere act of drumming.”
Established in 1992 by principal Architect Brian Porter (OnΛyota’a:ka), the name Two Row Architect was chosen to reflect the unique nature of the firm. The firm is a 100% native-owned business operated from the Six Nations of the Grand River First Nation and Tkaronto.
The design includes a central drum courtyard with fire pit. – DIALOG
Skouris explained that many teachings across Turtle Island use the circle to represent balance and equality, wholeness, and connection. The circle is unbroken and made of equal, connected and infinite points.
“The Creator is at the centre of the courtyard, around which all living things – including students, engage,” he said. “All programs radiate from this centre and have a special and direct connection to it. The drum voices our connection to all creation when we move and strengthens our bonds to each other when we drum together.”
Seneca’s vision is to transform the decades-old Sport Centre at the east end of Newnham Campus into a dynamic multi-storey health and wellness complex that includes traditional medicines, counselling, recreation and varsity sports facilities. The centre will also incorporate a new home for the Seneca Student Federation (SSF).
Funding for the Centre is coming from Seneca, the SSF and the Student Athletic Association (SAA). The SSF and SAA contributions have been funded through capital fees contributed by students over many years.
According to the school, the centre will represent the next phase of development at Newnham Campus, complementing the award-winning LEED Gold-certified Centre for Innovation, Technology and Entrepreneurship, known as CITE, and the award-winning Odeyto Indigenous Centre.
Landscaped outdoor space surrounding the Centre will provide opportunities to engage with nature. Highlights include a central drum courtyard with fire pit, an extensive arrangement of native plants and trees, regenerative forest, earth mounds and a teaching and leisure rooftop terrace.
The team plans to include green building practices, including mass timber, rainwater harvesting, solar energy, geothermal energy, renewable building materials, green roofing, and designing for resilience and operational sustainability.
Subject to approval by the provincial government, demolition of current facilities is slated for winter this year, with an estimated building completion in 2026.
Spring has sprung and construction work is in full swing all across the country. Shots that caught our staff’s eye this month included safety training, trash pickups, traffic control, rainbows, ospreys and more.
The Construction Foundation of B.C. welcomed rebar worker Oleh Marchyshyn and his family to Victoria. The family recently moved to B.C. from Ukraine and Oleh was quickly able to find work in the construction industry.
Lafarge workers clean up trash near the company’s Innovation Hub in Edmonton.
Peak Construction Group
Elder Dennis Joseph shares a song and prayer with Peak Construction Group’s teams at the Sen̓áḵw site for National Day of Mourning.
Glenbow Museum
Workers watch as new exterior panels are placed on the Glenbow Museum in Calgary. The panels are made from Cloudcrete, a fibreglass concrete mix that allows for unique shapes while maintaining their strength.
ETRO Construction
ETRO Construction’s team gives a crane-high view of work on the Brightside Community Homes Foundation’s Passive House project.
Metrolinx
The first passenger trails roll over the new Davenport Diamond Guideway, an elevated track that allows GO Trains to travel above traffic and freight trains in the Greater Toronto Area.
An osprey tends to its nest at Kelowna’s William R. Bennett Bridge. The BC Ministry of Transportation assisted the birds after their nest toppled during a wind storm.
Key Takeaways:
The Bow Transit Connectors team will work with the Green Line to design, build and finance the project.
During the development phase the two groups will collaborate on design, costs and scheduling before a project agreement is signed.
The project is expected to cost $5.5 billion, making it the largest in Calgary’s history.
The Whole Story:
A development partner has been chosen for Calgary’s Green Line project.
Following a successful procurement, the Green Line Board has approved the development phase agreement and selected Bow Transit Connectors (BTC) as Green Line’s development partner. BTC brings together Barnard Constructors of Canada, Flatiron Constructors Canada Ltd, and WSP Canada Inc, along with their financial advisor EllisDon Capital. Collectively they will bring shared expertise in underground, above-ground structures, and LRT design and construction to deliver Phase 1 of the Green Line LRT Project.
“The selection of our development partner and launch of the development phase is an important milestone as we move forward with BTC to design, build and finance the Green Line LRT. The Green Line Board has confidence in BTC and their ability to work collaboratively as we collectively ensure we balance costs and risks with the long-term city shaping benefits of Green Line” said Don Fairbairn, Chair, Green Line Board.
Officials explained that the development phase will allow for collaboration, design progression, and agreement on project costs, risks, and overall schedule between Green Line and BTC, before signing a project agreement. As part of negotiations, Green Line agreed to extend the Development Phase from approximately 12 months to 16 months to allow for greater design progression and cost certainty. The implementation phase remains on track to begin in 2024.
In addition to the lead construction and design team, BTC are proposing their subconsultants, which, to date, include: Delve Underground, Platinum Engineering, Egis, IBI, GEC Architecture and Architecture 49. “As part of the Bow Transit Connectors team, we look forward to bringing our expertise in delivering large scale transportation projects to the Green Line LRT Project. We are proud to share the trust of the City of Calgary as we significantly improve mobility for Calgarians” said Ken Tanner, VP of operations for Flatiron Constructors.
Green Line officials stated that they plan to share updates as additional agreements are finalized with the local contracting community.
“This is a crucial project for Calgary’s future. As a partner of Bow Transit Connectors, we will work collaboratively with the City of Calgary and local communities to deliver this exciting and important city-shaping project” said Dan Schall, VP at Barnard Construction Company.
At 18-kms, Phase 1 is the longest LRT project and largest infrastructure investment in Calgary’s history. Officials expect it to create almost 20,000 jobs throughout construction, $2.2 billion in long-term city-shaping benefits and more than $6 billion in property value uplift by 2040.
The Pacific National Exhibition (PNE) in Vancouver has unveiled the design of a new, state-of-the-art outdoor amphitheatre with a capacity of approximately 10,000.
It will be one of the largest free-span timber roof structures in the world. The non-profit explained that the new facility will be nestled in the heart of the park with panoramic views of the North Shore Mountains.
“This world-class open-air venue will provide much needed mixed-use venue space for top-tier concerts, arts and culture programming, community events, esports events, and more,” said the group.
The team is expecting to finalize the design this year and start construction in 2024. The facility is scheduled for completion in 2026.
By the numbers:
Maximum capacity of approx. 10,000
Estimated annual attendance 340,000+
Projected 75+ performances per year
24 Commercial Shows
22 Community, Arts, and Culture Shows
14 Corporate Shows
15 PNE Fair Shows (Summer Night Concerts)
The PNE added that the facility feature covered seating, hospitality suites, banquet/lounge space, common areas, and fully integrated premium catering options. They plan to use sustainable products and design, and build to Passive Haus, LEED, and Salmon-Safe certification standards.
“The crown jewel of the PNE and Hastings Park, the new PNE Amphitheatre will enable us to showcase and celebrate BC’s talent, diversity, and enthusiasm for live events,” said Shelley Frost, PNE president and CEO.
Infrastructure Ontario (IO) and Metrolinx have released a request for qualifications (RFQ) for the Advance Tunnel Contract package for the Yonge North Subway Extension.
The Yonge North Subway Extension (YNSE) will extend the TTC’s Line 1 subway service approximately eight kilometres from the existing terminus at Finch Station into the city of Richmond Hill.
The project runs through the Toronto and York Region, including sections within Markham, Richmond Hill and Vaughan. It will include an approximately 6.3-km tunnelled segment as well as an above-ground segment that will run along the existing rail corridor in the northern section of the route.
The RFQ outlines the scope of work to design, build and finance the tunnels. This includes the following:
Approximately 6.3 km of tunnelling works.
Design and construction of launch and extraction shafts, tunnels, as well as headwalls for stations and support of excavation for emergency exit buildings.
Design, procurement, and supply of tunnel boring machines and tunnel liner segments.
Reinforcing and improving soil and works necessary to facilitate tunnelling under and next to the CN Railway tracks and the York Durham Sewage System.
Construction of CN right-of-way separation barriers to expedite safe corridor access and construction.
Officials stated that the RFQ is the first step in the procurement process to select teams to deliver the YNSE advance tunnel contract for the project. Companies interested in bidding on this contract must register with www.merx.com to download the respective RFQ.
It’s no wonder bridges make great metaphors. They connect two places, help thousands overcome major obstacles and often stand for decades.
They are some of the most vital pieces of infrastructure and are relied upon by millions to move goods and services through the country. But they don’t stay standing without some help. Here are 10 major bridge projects that aim to repair, replace or create new crossings in Canada.
The Pattullo Bridge Replacement Project -Surrey, B.C.
Built for $4 million in 1937, the Pattullo Bridge is a key connection between the communities of Surrey and New Westminster. But it’s reaching the end of its life and is being replaced by a new four-lane bridge that includes modern, wider lanes, separated by a centre median barrier for safety. The new bridge is scheduled to open in 2024. Once the new bridge is open, the existing bridge will be removed.
The Gordie Howe International Bridge – Windsor, Ont.
The Gordie Howe International Bridge – named after the late Red Wings legend – will connect Windsor, Ont. and Detroit, Michigan, south of Historic Fort Wayne in southwest Detroit. Running one-and-a-half miles in length and spanning six-lanes, the project will be the longest cable-stayed bridge in North America. It is on track to be completed in 2024. Recent drone footage showed off construction progress so far.
Limberlost Place pedestrian bridge – Toronto, Ont.
Crews lift a pedestrian bridge into place in downtown Toronto. – PCL
A two-story mass timber pedestrian bridge has been installed at Limberlost Place, marking a major milestone for the Toronto project. PCL announced that the bridge was erected 65 feet above street level, connecting level five of Limberlost Place to level six of the college’s Daphne Cockwell Centre for Health Sciences at George Brown College (GBC). Because the bridge was prefabricated off site, installation only took one day.
Groat Road Bridges – Edmonton, Alta.
Crews use gantry cranes to keep bridges open during work.
When Edmonton’s Groat Road Bridges and Road Renewal Project needed traffic to keep flowing while work was being done, Graham rose to the challenge. The team used two mobile gantries mounted in tandem to complete work on several bridges while not interrupting the more than 40,000 drivers who use the route daily. They were able to complete the work on-budget at $45.6 million and within the 33-month schedule.
Nisutlin Bay Bridge – Teslin, Yukon
A rendering shows the design of the new bridge. – Yukon Government
Graham Infrastructure LP is working to replace an aging bridge in the Yukon. The $160-million Nisutlin Bay Bridge project is the largest capital project in the territory’s history. The original bridge was built in 1953 and traffic along the Alaska highway has increased. The new bridge was planned with input from the community and in collaboration with the Teslin Tlingit Council. Indigenous art is being incorporated into the design. Work is expected to wrap in 2026.
Île-aux-Tourtes Bridge project – Montreal, Que.
The existing Île-aux-Tourtes Bridge has already undergone reinforcement work to prolong its life.
Quebec officials recently announced they have finalized the selection process for work on the new Île-aux-Tourtes Bridge reconstruction project. The $2.3 billion project will have two separate structures and accommodate three lanes of traffic each way, a multi-purpose lane and wide shoulders for buses. Officials plant to gradually put the new infrastructure into service near the end of 2026.
Saint John’s Harbour Bridge – Saint John, N.B.
The project to rehab this New Brunswick bridge is entering its fourth and final phase. Work includes deck rehabilitation of both ramps located on the east end and replacement of bearings and pier repairs on the underside of the bridge. It’s expected to be completely refurbished by 2026.
St. Vital Bridge Upgrades – Winnipeg, Man.
Crews began working on St. Vital Bridge improvements in Winnipeg earlier this year. The $52-million upgrades include a bridge surface to extend the structure’s lifespan by 50 years, a widened multi-use pathway on each side, improvements to the pedestrian tunnel under the bridge and more. Work is expected to wrap next year.
Granville Bridge Upgrades – Vancouver, B.C.
A rendering shows upgrades being done to Vancouver’s Granville Bridge. – City of Vancouver
The Vancouver bridge work is part of the Granville Connector project, which includes converting two west-side travel lanes on the bridge to separated walking, rolling, and cycling routes, similar to the protected lanes on the nearby Burrard Bridge. Additional improvements include the installation of new traffic signals, wayfinding signage, and the creation of a pedestrian and bicycle connection to the Arbutus Greenway at the south end of the bridge. Work is scheduled to wrap in fall 2024. The contract is being carried out by Pomerleau.
Wildlife Overpass – Canmore, Alta.
Last year crews broke ground on a 17.5-million wildlife overpass east of Canmore. It is the first wildlife overpass to be built outside of Banff National Park. Officials say it will greatly improve safety as there are an average of 69 vehicle-wildlife collisions annually on the Trans-Canada Highway between Banff National Park and Highway 40.
Key Takeaways:
City administration will begin formal discussions on definitive agreements with all parties, which is expected to be underway through spring and summer 2023.
The project includes an event centre, community rink, potential commercial development parcels, gathering spaces, street improvements and more.
Work on an events centre was set to start in 2022, but the deal was terminated over budget disputes.
The Whole Story:
A $1.22-billion deal has been struck to develop Calgary’s Rivers District and create a new event centre.
The city has reached agreements, in principle, with the province, Calgary Sports and Entertainment Corporation (CSEC) and Calgary Stampede to proceed with a significant phase of the Culture + Entertainment District in downtown Calgary.
The area will feature a suite of public amenities and public infrastructure, including a new community rink, improvements to public spaces and connections to the district, and commercial opportunities, all of which will be anchored by a new publicly-owned modern event centre.
The Calgary Construction Association (CCA) stated that the new development will not only enhance the entertainment options in the area but also provide significant economic benefits for the construction industry through jobs and follow-on investment in the Rivers’ District.
“The construction industry is poised to play a major role in bringing this new facility to life, and we are proud to support this project,” said the group. “Our association is committed to working closely with all stakeholders as an advisor to ensure that this project is delivered on time, within budget, and to the highest level of quality.”
Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek said the project is another signal to the market that Calgary is making strong investments in its future.
“The partnership approach we have taken accomplishes two things: we are building an event centre, and we are also creating the public amenities needed within the Rivers District to build community and enhance quality of life for all Calgarians,” she said.
Premier Danielle Smith stated that the new arena and event centre will be at the heart of Calgary’s sports, entertainment and cultural scene for generations, and will result in billions of dollars of economic activity and a higher quality of life for millions of Albertans.
A map shows the layout of plans to develop the Rivers District. – City of Calgary
“The memories experienced here by families and friends will contribute invaluably to the fabric and spirit of this city for decades,” she said. “Calgary is a vibrant world class city deserving and in need of world class facilities. Along with Edmonton’s Rogers Place, Alberta will now have two of the best and most modern event centres in all the world.
She noted that one of her first actions as Premier was to publicly encourage all parties to return to the negotiating table and to appoint MLA Ric McIver along with her office’s executive director to work with the city and CESC to get a deal done.
“Six months later, we have results and I am grateful to the city, CESC, the Calgary Exhibition and Stampede, MLA McIver and everyone else involved who came together to get this job done,” she said. “I can’t wait to get the project started.”
This project includes a number of improvements to the area:
New mobility connection: A new 4-lane underpass under the CP train tracks with wide sidewalks at 6th Street S.E., providing pedestrian, wheeling, and vehicle connections.
Community rink: Shared facility for public booking and training facility for CSEC teams with seating for 1,000.
Outdoor and indoor gathering spaces: More opportunity for community events onsite and in The District.
Event centre: New city-owned building, capable of accommodating “A-class” events and additional hosting space on a 10-acre parcel of land.
Street and public realm improvements: Improvements to 5 Street S.E and 15, 17 and 25 Avenues S.E.
Land: Potential commercial development parcels.
“We are excited to be part of the announcement of a new event centre and community rink that will both be home for the Calgary Flames, Calgary Hitmen, Calgary Roughnecks and Calgary Wranglers. And this announcement will help us put Calgary and the Province back on the map for all major North American concerts,” said CSEC President and CEO John Bean. “We would like to thank Premier Smith, Mayor Gondek, Councillor Sharp and CEO Cowley for their leadership in helping to create the vision for this project and the environment for it to proceed.”
The city stated that the agreements position the event centre to be a complementary anchor to the BMO Centre Expansion and together, these two modernized facilities will work with other improvements in the area, such as 17 Avenue S., Victoria Park Station, Central Library and Studio Bell, as well as the Arts Commons Transformation, to support and contribute to Calgary’s downtown recovery. It will be a place where visitors and a whole new generation of Calgarians will make lifelong memories.
The city of Calgary’s contribution is 44% of the total cost with the province of Alberta and CSEC contributing the remaining 56%. For every $1.00 invested by the city, the province and CSEC together will invest $1.28. CSEC, in addition to their event centre investment, will continue to make community sports payments, to the tune of $1.5 million annually.
Calgary Stampede will support land exchanges and transactions to ensure the district can grow and develop as planned in the Rivers District Master Plan.
City administration will begin formal discussions on definitive agreements with all parties, which is expected to be underway through spring and summer 2023. The project team is preparing to begin the design and development of the event centre, as well as the supporting infrastructure in the area.
Key Takeaways:
B.C. is spending $20 million to fix the aging Science World building in Vancouver.
Work includes replacing heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC), and electrical systems. Crews will also repair the buildings iconic dome, which is leaking.
The funding is part of a larger effort to repair and upgrade tourism infrastructure in the province.
The Whole Story:
Vancouver’s iconic Science World building is getting repaired.
Repairs to the dome are part of $50-million worth of tourism infrastructure upgrades the province is helping fund.
“If you live in B.C., you have a couple special places you love to visit with family and friends. For my family, Science World is one of those spots,” said Premier David Eby. “If you’re visiting B.C. you know how much there is to see – but all this doesn’t happen by accident. That’s why we’re building a strong tourism sector where visitors can experience all our province has to offer and British Columbians can enjoy their favourite places as well as the benefits of a strong, diverse economy.”
Critical systems housed in Science World’s dome are at the end of their life, including heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) and electrical systems, and repairs to these systems must be addressed. The dome is also leaking, rendering the theatre unusable.
The province is investing $20 million in Science World to support priority infrastructure repairs and improvements to its dome and other parts of the building. Updates will include new electrical energy efficiencies and other critical infrastructure upgrades.
Science World under construction in the 1980s. – Science World
“The past three years have been incredibly difficult for people in the tourism industry,” said Lana Popham, minister of tourism, arts, culture and sport. “Our government is proud to invest in the tourism sector to support the people who work in it and to support its sustained recovery. By supporting Science World, we are ensuring families throughout B.C. and all our visitors can continue to create lifelong memories together.”
Science World first opened for Expo 86 and has been welcoming more than 860,000 visitors each year prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. It is also a learning institution for students and teachers throughout B.C., highlighting careers in science, technology, engineering, arts and design, and math (STEAM) and preparing students with skills for the future.
“This funding will allow us to continue to make critical infrastructure updates to the iconic dome,” said Tracy Redies, CEO, Science World. “We look forward to continuing to work with the Province to ensure we can keep welcoming millions of visitors from B.C., Canada and around the world for another 35 years.”
The province is also providing $30 million to enhance existing tourism infrastructure throughout the province, foster globally competitive destinations, strengthen a year-round visitor economy, and to support sustainability, accessibility and inclusion. Projects include new tourism attractions, campground developments, incorporating Indigenous culture and language, accessibility improvements, and climate change adaptations.
Key Takeaways:
The Canadian Construction Association says Ottawa Hospital’s project labour agreement is unfair to non-union employers.
They cited a new report that suggests the approach could lead to large budget increases.
They believe it is part of a larger trend of unfair public sector procurement practices happening across the country.
In a press release the group stated that Ottawa Hospital’s $2.8 billion Civic Campus project will likely cost taxpayers hundreds of millions more and leave a majority of Ottawa-area construction workers ineligible to work on the vital project.
The CCA explained that an exclusive project labour agreement (PLA) between the hospital and the Unionized Building and Construction Trades of Eastern Ontario and Western Quebec prohibits contractors and workers who are not affiliated with these specific unions from bidding on, or even participating in building, the hospital’s new $2.8 billion Civic Campus.
The group cited a report by the Montreal Economic Institute (MEI) that concluded the Ottawa Hospital’s restrictive PLA will stifle competition, escalating project costs by between $168 million and $525 million by 2028. The authors of the report find it unacceptable for a public entity to make taxpayers pay more by granting exclusivity to a specific group of affiliated workers.
“Not only are a large number of talented workers — many from small and medium-sized firms — barred, but, as the MEI points out, the projects are likely to cost taxpayers more than necessary as a result,” said Mary Van Buren, CCA president.
The CCA stated that the Ottawa Hospital project is the latest in a series of concerning examples, like B.C.’s Pattullo Bridge, where public sector procurement is “falling short on fair and open practices”.
The CCA added that an even more concerning issue is the labour requirements attached to the newly introduced federal clean tax credits established in Budget 2023, which again exclude non-unionized construction workers.
Union workers pose in front of the Pattullo Bridge replacement project in B.C. the CCA says it is another example of non-union workers getting excluded. – Province of B.C.
“The Canadian Construction Association takes issue with these examples and others that either categorically exclude or strongly disadvantage one group of workers,” said Van Buren. “We would take a similarly forceful position if the reverse had happened and union workers had been excluded or disadvantaged.”
When the agreement was announced in January, officials argued that it would be a positive move for the project.
“The Ottawa Hospital wants to do all we can to create a positive and safe work environment for the thousands of workers that will be on site every day during construction of our new campus,” said Cameron Love, president and CEO of the Ottawa Hospital. “We’re thrilled to have partnered with trades unions on this landmark agreement that will help keep the project on schedule and avoid costs and delays associated with work stoppage.”
According to the hospital, the agreement sets out the terms and conditions that will apply to all employers and all trades working on the project. The hospital believes that agreement sets a high safety standard for working conditions for all building and trades workers on the site, increasing safety and job stability, while still following Ontario’s requirements for an open and competitive procurement process.
Officials explained that the agreement ensures compliance with bargaining rights and that all workers on the site are properly trained and certified and will create apprenticeship opportunities for populations underrepresented in the construction trades, including First Nations, Inuit and Métis people, women, and diverse and at-risk youth. The agreement lasts for the duration of the project.
Key Takeaways
The work includes building new land and a new three-berth marine container terminal.
The project will end up increasing Canada’s west coast container capacity by approximately one-third.
It will generate an estimated $3 billion in GDP annually once built.
The Whole Story
A major port expansion project in Delta, B.C. got one step closer to getting shovels in the ground.
The Government of Canada has approved the Roberts Bank Terminal 2 Project following an environmental assessment process that started in 2013.
The decision comes as Canada’s container trade remains on a long-term growth trajectory, with west coast marine container terminals forecast to hit capacity by the mid- to late-2020s.
“With this approval, we can advance one of Canada’s most important trade infrastructure projects to date, bolster our national supply-chain resilience, and deliver generational economic benefits for Canadians and Canadian businesses,” said Robin Silvester, president and CEO of the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, the federal agency mandated to enable Canada’s trade through the Port of Vancouver. “I’d like to thank Indigenous and local communities, scientists, industry, chambers of commerce, and all tiers of government, who have played such an important role in shaping the project to date.”
The Roberts Bank Terminal 2 Project includes building new land and a new three-berth marine container terminal near existing port terminals at Roberts Bank in Delta, B.C. The project will incrementally deliver an additional 2.4 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of capacity, ultimately increasing Canada’s west coast container capacity by approximately one-third.
Port officials stated that additional container terminal capacity at the Port of Vancouver will strengthen national supply-chain resilience, by creating additional “buffer” to handle cargo surges, such as those experienced through the pandemic, and support recovery from weather-related disruptions, such as the severe flooding that B.C. experienced in late 2021 that contributed to port cargo backlogs well into 2022.
Officials added that the project will deliver substantial economic benefits, including more than 18,000 jobs during construction; more than 17,300 ongoing jobs; an estimated $3 billion in GDP annually once built; and $631 million in tax revenue.
The port authority is leading the project under its public-interest mandate as a federal agency.
“Roberts Bank Terminal 2 has been designed in a way that ensures it aligns with our work toward our vision to make the Port of Vancouver the world’s most sustainable port, including protecting and enhancing the natural environment and reflecting Indigenous priorities,” said Judy Rogers, port authority board chair. “The port authority has collaborated with Indigenous groups on the project for more than a decade and now we look forward to working together to deliver economic, cultural and environmental opportunities and initiatives.”
The port authority stated that it will continue to work closely with Indigenous groups on environmental mitigation and training, employment, contracting opportunities, as well as providing benefits through the Indigenous Legacy Benefit Fund and signed agreements with 26 Indigenous groups.
The new marine terminal will be located in subtidal waters to minimize environmental effects. It will be funded by the port authority and private investment.
The port authority says it will now continue to work toward obtaining other applicable approvals and permits to advance the project.
More offices in downtown Calgary are getting converted to other uses.
Downtown Calgary Development Incentive Program has approved five new projects that will provide housing to more than 1,000 Calgarians and eliminate nearly 500,000 square feet of office space in Calgary’s downtown. These five projects will convert empty office space into new homes for future downtown residents. The five projects are:
Taylor Building (805 8 Avenue SW) – Cressey Developments
Petro Fina Building (736 8 Avenue SW) – People First Development Company
Eau Claire Place I (525 3 Avenue SW) – Cidex Group of Companies
Eau Claire Place II (521 3 Avenue SW) – Pacific Reach Properties
The Loft (744 4 Avenue SW) – Institutional Mortgage Capital
“One of Calgary’s biggest successes, and one that we are receiving international acclaim for, is our Downtown Calgary Development Incentive Program,” said Mayor Jyoti Gondek. “This program is ensuring that nestled in the centre of our city, Calgarians and visitors can discover welcoming neighbourhoods, unique businesses and active streets. The five office-to-residential conversion projects announced today will be key to supporting this vision as well as expanding the economic engine of the city.”
Three of the five projects will bring new life to buildings in the west end of the Downtown Core – an area that has the greatest amount of empty office space. According to the city, these projects complement three previously announced residential conversion projects in the area. To support current and future residents in this area, the city is making additional investments to improve public spaces and amenities, including redesigning Stephen Avenue and 8 Street SW, West Eau Claire Park and Eau Claire Promenade, and Century Gardens.
“Added vibrancy in west end of our downtown, an area that has considerable vacancy and that is traditionally dominated by office buildings, goes a long way in making Calgary safer for everyone at all hours of the day and enables our local businesses to thrive within complete communities,” said Sheryl McMullen, manager, investment & marketing for the city’s downtown strategy. “These five projects, along with previously announced projects, will help transform the Downtown West and Eau Claire neighbourhoods into key destinations for Calgarians and visitors alike.”
Upon completion of construction, the five new projects will receive roughly $36.3 million combined from the program. The estimated grant amounts are based on a rate of $75 per square foot of office space being converted to living space. Final amounts will be confirmed and disbursed at project completion.
Key Takeaways:
A 129-unit mixed supportive housing and affordable housing development in Vancouver is facing a lawsuit from a community group that opposes it.
The province has stepped into to make legislative amendments so the rezoning for it can proceed.
Officials say the project could break ground in 2024.
The Whole Story:
B.C. is introducing legislative amendments to allow rezoning for a housing project that has been tied up with a lawsuit.
The province announced it was making the amendments through the Municipalities Enabling and Validating Act.
“We are taking legislative action to avoid further delays for the creation of much-needed homes in this Province,” said Ravi Kahlon, minister of housing. “Too many people are sheltering outside. We know it is not safe and we are helping to create badly needed supportive housing in Vancouver. These amendments, if passed, will ensure the City of Vancouver can approve homes for people without delay.”
In July 2022, Vancouver city council approved, in principle, a rezoning bylaw to allow a 129-unit mixed supportive housing and affordable housing development, known as the Arbutus Project, at 2086 and 2098 W. 7th Ave. and 2091 W. 8th Ave.
The approval followed a public-hearing process that invited local residents and other interested participants to comment on the proposed development. The adoption of the rezoning bylaw has been delayed due to legal action by the Kitsilano Coalition, a neighbourhood advocacy group that opposed the project. Last fall, the Kitsilano Coalition filed a petition in the Supreme Court of British Columbia seeking judicial review of the rezoning. They argued that the city’s process did not ensure transparency, fairness and disclosure of key information.
“A fundamental principle governing the conduct of public hearings is that members of the public are provided with an opportunity to make submissions to Council, and that they are provided with all the information that Council has before when making its decision,” said Karen Finnan, a spokesperson for the group.
The coalition argued that it wanted an “alternative model that would be successful for the residents of the project and the surrounding neighbourhood, which includes an elementary school, daycare centre, toddler playground, and a women’s supportive recovery home in the immediate proximity.”
The province stated it is making the changes to the act as a direct response to a request from the city of Vancouver for legislative intervention to allow the Arbutus Project to move forward as soon as possible. With the legislative intervention, construction could begin in early 2024.
“We are thankful for the ongoing support from senior government partners to expedite the delivery of much-needed affordable housing in the city. This project will deliver 129 studio homes and make a huge difference in the lives of people in the community,” said Ken Sim, mayor of Vancouver. “We look forward to continuing conversations and working with the community via the neighbourhood Community Advisory Committee as the project progresses.”
Key Takeaways:
taxes on the purchase of a new home in Ontario accounts for 31 per cent of the price, up from about 24 per cent in 2012.
“The federal government is benefitting massively from the growth of the Ontario economy but not reinvesting enough of the tax revenues it receives from new housing development into public infrastructure,” said RESCON president Richard Lyall. “Both now and over the past decades, this has created unprecedented funding challenges for provincial and municipal governments. We are in the midst of a generational housing crisis and it is critical that the federal government finally establish stable, predictable and substantial infrastructure funding for Ontario and its municipalities.”
A report authored by the Canadian Centre for Economic Analysis and commissioned by the Residential and Civil Construction Alliance of Ontario (RCCAO) shows that taxes on the purchase of a new home in Ontario accounts for 31 per cent of the price, up from about 24 per cent in 2012.
RESCON noted that the federal government’s share of those taxes is 39 per cent, yet it only invests 7.1 per cent in public infrastructure. The report also indicates that the tax burden on new home construction is two times higher compared to other sectors of the economy. RESCON stated that Infrastructure-dependent products and sectors such as cars, electronics and manufacturing are not taxed nearly as much.
While the federal government reaps most of the benefits of growth through the taxation of new homes, the report notes it has not been a significant participant in funding public infrastructure investment. RESCON argued that this puts a strain on local governments and impedes construction at a time when the feds are increasing immigration targets without regard to housing supply. It highlighted that Ontario’s population has grown by 68 per cent since the 1970s, but the number of annual new housing completions has dropped by 23 per cent.
“The present level of federal investment in public infrastructure falls far short of what is needed to sustain our communities and contribute to economic growth,” said Lyall. “Residential construction of new homes and investments in public infrastructure are critical to the economic growth of Ontario and all of Canada. The federal government is contributing too little compared to the amount of revenue it generates.”
The report suggests that public infrastructure investment funding in Ontario required to support growth trends is 30 per cent below what is required. According to RESCON, this only exacerbates the critical need for increased federal public infrastructure investment to help ease housing unaffordability in Ontario.
“This ongoing lack of support is one of the reasons we have the worst housing affordability crisis in Ontario’s history,” said Lyall. “It is very difficult for developers and builders to build more homes – and for the public to afford them – when taxes account for such a large chunk of the cost and the funds are not being properly reinvested into public infrastructure for the future. It’s a travesty.”
Key Takeaways:
The $119.7-million project will add 470 units of student housing to BCIT’s Burnaby campus.
The 12-storey building will be built using mass timber and incorporate design elements from local Indigenous groups.
Work on the project is expected to wrap in 2025.
The Whole Story:
Construction is underway on a new 12-storey mass-timber building for housing students at the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) Burnaby campus.
Officials say that once complete, the project will provide 470 students with affordable on-campus housing.
“Building secure, stable and affordable housing is essential for students to be successful at their studies,” said Selina Robinson, minister of post-secondary education and future skills. “The former government neglected student housing, only building 130 beds over 16 years. Our government is rapidly building new student housing units across B.C., which will help students focus on their classes and lay the foundation for their future. By building over 7,700 student beds in less than six years, we’re helping students save money on rent and travel, while also reducing demand on the local rental housing market.”
The B.C. government is providing $108.5 million toward the $119.7-million development. Once built, it will be the first student housing development at BCIT in 40 years and will more than double the supply of on-campus housing at BCIT. The building will be constructed using mass timber and designed to reflect Indigenous culture in the region, including the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil Waututh Nations. The building will include studio suites, private rooms with shared bathrooms and kitchens, study rooms, common areas and a collaboration space.
“Housing is a top priority for people across B.C. and our government. Everyone deserves a safe and affordable place to call home, and students should feel secure enough to focus more on their studies, and less on finding a place to live,” said Ravi Kahlon, minister of housing. “That’s the goal of our Homes for People strategy – to close the gap between supply and demand and find creative solutions for the housing concerns facing British Columbians.”
BCIT’s Tall Timber Student Housing building is estimated to be completed in spring 2025.
Key Takeaways:
The city is launching Priority Travel Routes around Ontario Line construction zones that will be kept clear of as many road restrictions as possible.
Officials are also coordinating with closely with Metrolinx, contractors and TTC to minimize disruptions.
The effort is in anticipation of construction work to connect the Ontario Line to TTC’s Queen Station.
The Whole Story:
Toronto officials want to limit traffic headaches while crews build the Ontario Line.
To prepare for Metrolinx’s construction of an Ontario Line connection to the TTC’s Queen Station beginning this spring, the city officials announced they are working closely with Metrolinx, contractors and the TTC to ensure that traffic congestion and construction impacts are reduced as much as possible by holistically reviewing capital construction plans, upcoming road restrictions and accessibility around all construction zones downtown.
The city will be launching Priority Travel Routes around Ontario Line construction zones that will be kept clear of as many road restrictions as possible – including non-emergency utility work – to ensure that there are alternative and parallel routes for people to get around.
“The city recognizes the vital need for the unprecedented transit expansion underway alongside the need to keep people – pedestrians, cyclists, transit riders, and drivers – moving within Toronto,” said officials in a press release. “Once completed, the Ontario Line will make travel within Toronto faster and easier by providing a 15-station subway line running from Exhibition Place, through downtown, to the Ontario Science Centre. The new subway line will also offer significant crowding relief within Toronto’s existing transit network.”
Starting Monday, May 1, Dundas Street, from Jarvis Street to Bathurst Street, will be the first Priority Travel Route as Ontario Line construction will fully close Queen Street from Victoria Street to Yonge Street and Yonge Street to Bay Street. Until summer 2024, this stretch of Dundas Street will only have emergency work; on-street parking will be restricted and CaféTO Curb Lane cafes will not be installed to keep the roadway as clear of restrictions as possible.
A rendering shows the design of an Ontario Line station. – Government of Ontario
More Priority Travel Routes will be identified as Ontario Line construction progresses. To keep traffic moving along these routes, some existing permits and bylaws may be cancelled or amended. Where necessary, these may include not installing CaféTO curb lane cafés, changes to on-street parking and deferring requested road closures for events.
Other ways the city is preparing for Ontario Line construction include actively assessing all construction permit applications and related Traffic Management Plans to minimize the overall disruption caused by construction. The city said staff will work to ensure plans promote the safety of people travelling in the area; reduce noise and parking impacts as much as possible; modify traffic signals to allow for the efficient flow of traffic; deploy paid duty Police officers and Traffic Agents to regulate and direct traffic; maintain access to properties; and identify key site access points and haul routes for construction vehicles.
City of Toronto Traffic Agents will be deployed to key intersections during the morning and afternoon peak traffic periods to actively manage the movement of all road users, reduce delays and improve safety. Traffic Agents will be placed where they are needed most based on evolving traffic demands. More about the Traffic Agents Program is available on the city’s Traffic Agents webpage.
According to the city, Construction Hubs continue to play an important role in logistical planning of the right-of-way. The Hubs review Construction Management Plans, connect travellers with real-time information, collaborate with enforcement officers and communicate impacts and changes to businesses and communities in the neighbourhood. More about Construction Hubs is available on the city’s Construction Hub webpage.
“The city of Toronto, the government of Ontario and the government of Canada are working together to build a multi-billion dollar transit expansion across Toronto,” said Deputy Mayor Jennifer McKelvie. “This construction is so important for the future of our city along with the other major infrastructure work underway. We know we have a lot of construction ahead of us and we recognize the vital need for transit expansion while balancing the needs of the public and businesses to travel in and through the downtown core”
