Alberta officials say 2022 was a major year for infrastructure work, outlining all the progress that was made on significant projects.
“Throughout 2022, Infrastructure played a major role in proactively rebuilding our economy. Many infrastructure projects around the province provided thousands of construction and related jobs in local communities,” said Nathan Neudorf, deputy premier and minister of infrastructure. “We have worked on accelerating priority projects and cutting red tape in order to get shovels in the ground faster at sites across Alberta. Moving forward into 2023, we will continue to work with the rest of government to ensure our province is focused on the priority infrastructure needs of Albertans.”
Construction was completed on:
Nineteen school projects, creating more than 7,300 new and 3,800 modernized student spaces throughout the province. An additional 43 school projects are underway in the planning, design or construction phase.
Four health projects, including the $1.4-billion 186,000 square metre Calgary Cancer Centre. Last summer, at the peak of construction, more than 1,650 trades and construction workers were on site.
Red Deer recovery community facility. Another five facilities located in Lethbridge, Gunn, Calgary, Edmonton and the Blood Tribe First Nation are currently in the planning, design or construction phase.
Progress was made on:
Phase I of the new more than $400-million Gene Zwozdesky Centre at Norwood. Currently 350 construction workers are on site daily.
Redevelopment of the Misericordia Community Hospital Emergency Department. This $85-million project is supporting about 476 construction and related jobs and is anticipated to be complete in March 2023.
Planning for the expansion and redevelopment of the Red Deer Regional Hospital. Design work is anticipated to begin in early 2023 and more information will be shared soon.
In 2022, Alberta’s government continued to announce funding approvals through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP) for projects in communities around Alberta. Through ICIP, Alberta has been allocated $3.66 billion by the federal government to invest in infrastructure projects that strengthen the economy and build resilient communities. To date, more than 200 projects and project bundles have been approved for ICIP funding in more than 30 Alberta constituencies, allocating about 99 per cent of the provided funding to date.
These federal-provincial-local cost-sharing ICIP projects mean the investment of about $9 billion worth of design and construction work.
B.C. officials are putting the brakes on a coal mining project in the province’s northeast.
Officials announced that an environmental assessment certificate will not be issued for the proposed Sukunka coal mine project following a joint decision by provincial ministers.
George Heyman, minister of environment and climate change strategy, and Josie Osborne, minister of energy, mines and low carbon innovation, stated that they made their decision after carefully considering the environmental assessment of the project conducted by B.C.’s Environmental Assessment Office (EAO). The assessment of the project proposed by Glencore involved consultation with technical experts, federal and local authorities, First Nations and the public.
According to Glencore, the project would have been a capital investment of $450 million.
Impact on wildlife
The EAO recommended a certificate not be issued after concluding that the key mitigation measures proposed would be unlikely to reduce the potential negative impacts of the project to an acceptable level.
The assessment found the project would have significant adverse and cumulative effects on the threatened and red-listed Quintette caribou herd, increasing the risk of its extinction. Following substantial discussions between Glencore, federal and provincial caribou experts, Treaty 8 First Nations and the EAO, the EAO concluded that even with proposed mitigation measures and requirements, impacts to caribou would be significant if the project were to proceed.
The EAO’s assessment additionally found that the project would have significant cumulative effects on grizzly bears, by adding to existing impacts from previous development in the region, as well as adverse impacts to First Nations, such as treaty rights to hunt.
No duplicate assessments
The project also requires a federal environmental assessment and decision. The B.C. EAO carried out the assessment on behalf of the federal government under a “substitution agreement.” This means the one assessment carried out by the EAO is used to support separate decisions by each level of government, eliminating the duplication of two assessments for a single project. The federal decision was also announced Dec. 21, 2022.
The Sukunka project was proposed by Glencore as an open-pit mining operation and coal processing plant about 55 kilometres south of Chetwynd and 40 kilometres west of Tumbler Ridge. The proposal was for production of approximately three megatonnes of metallurgical coal per year for export to overseas steel manufacturers over 22 years.
Someone is going on Santa’s naughty list for this one.
The North Vancouver RCMP are asking for the public’s help in locating an excavator stolen from a construction site located in 600 block of E 6th St. in North Vancouver, BC.
On Dec. 15th the owner of a 2018 John Deere 50G excavator called police to report his equipment was stolen from the construction site.
According to police, witnesses observed the excavator being loaded onto a flatbed and the thieves traveling eastbound in the laneway the night before at approximately 10:30 p.m.
The excavator is worth $50,000 and it is the third stolen excavator for the property owner in four years.
“The North Vancouver RCMP is asking for the public’s assistance in providing any information relating to this theft, specifically any CCTV, dash cam from the area or witnesses that may have observed the incident,” said officer Mansoor Sahak. “Someone may have observed this incident, not realizing that a theft was occurring.
Police urged the public to contact the North Vancouver RCMP at 604-985-1311 and quote file #22-30678. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).
A drone shows the route of a major transit project in Metro Vancouver. – Broadway Subway Project
Take a good look at this 5.7 km route in Vancouver. It’s about to completely transform.
A drone flew the The Broadway Subway Project alignment, offering a sweeping overview of what’s to come.
The Broadway Subway Project, led by joint venture between ACCIONA and Ghella, will extend the Millennium Line from VCC-Clark Station to the future Broadway and Arbutus station, providing SkyTrain service along the Broadway corridor, home to B.C.’s second-largest jobs centre, world-class health-care services, an emerging innovation and research hub, and growing residential communities.
The project team recently launched the second of two state-of-the-art Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs) November 29. Named Phyllis, after B.C. mountaineer Phyllis Munday, she will join Elsie, the first TBM, which was launched on Oct. 7 and is now well on her way to her first breakthrough at Mount Pleasant Station.
Each TBM will take about one year to carve out two five-kilometre-long tunnels before being dismantled and removed at Cypress Street near the future Arbutus Station. After tunneling is complete, work can begin on building tracks within the tunnels and finishing the six new stations along the route. Once in service, the Broadway Subway Project will create a seamless extension of the existing Millennium Line from VCC-Clark to Arbutus Street.
Planned construction activities for the next three months include:
About three quarters of the 21 columns on the elevated guideway between VCC-Clark Station and the future Great Northern Way-Emily Carr station are complete. Construction continuing on remaining columns.
Both TBMs, Phyllis and Elsie have been launched. Continuing to remove excavated material from both tunnels and installing remaining trailing gear on Phyllis at Great Northern Way-Emily Carr Station.
Completing the concrete base slab for the future Mount Pleasant Station.
Excavating the Broadway-City Hall, Oak-VGH, South Granville and Arbutus stations.
Completing the traffic decks for the Broadway-City Hall and Arbutus stations.
Finishing the relocation of major utilities at the Broadway-City Hall and Arbutus work sites.
The B.C. group is offering the reward for information about an attack on a Coastal GasLink LNG worksite in February. The ICBA has partnered with Metro Vancouver Crime Stoppers, which will administer the reward and accept anonymous tips from anyone with information that will lead to arrests and charges.
Houston, B.C. RCMP say video footage shows approximately 20 masked individuals attacked nine security guards and construction workers, heavy equipment, and outbuildings in a premediated and coordinated nighttime assault by attackers with axes. In one case, a worker trapped inside a truck had his window smashed out by an axe.
Fires were set and heavy equipment was hijacked to batter other onsite equipment and shred trailers. Lights and video surveillance at the site had been disabled, a school bus was parked to block access in or out of the site and the Morice River Service Road was blocked by felled trees, fires and spikes.
No one was seriously injured but the attack caused millions of dollars in damaged equipment.
“The people working on this pipeline are highly trained and skilled and are building an incredible national legacy of which we can all be proud,” said Chris Gardner, ICBA president. “Their expertise and hard work should be upheld as an example of Canadian ingenuity and exceptionalism. They deserve no less than a full investigation and the assurance that the perpetrators of this attack will be held accountable and brought to justice. ICBA is proud to stand up for construction and energy workers and offer this reward.”
Crime Stoppers officials stressed that someone with knowledge of such a crime might fear retribution if they share information, but a tipster’s personal information is never collected.
“In the decades we’ve been in operation, we have never identified any of our tipsters,” said Linda Annis, executive director of Metro Vancouver Crime Stoppers. “They are never contacted again by us or the police or have to testify in court. We encourage anyone to contact us about any crime, whether it’s relatively small in scope, or as costly and dangerous as this case.”
Anyone with information about the incident can contact Metro Vancouver Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or visit www.solvecrime.ca.
“This is a very troubling escalation in violent criminal activity that could have resulted in serious injury or death. This was a calculated and organized violent attack that left its victims shaken and a multimillion dollar path of destruction,” said Warren Brown, chief superintendent for Houston RCMP. “While we respect everyone’s right to peacefully protest in Canada, we cannot tolerate this type of extreme violence and intimidation. Our investigators will work tirelessly to identify the culprits and hold them accountable for their actions.”
Video: Vandals launch assault on Coastal GasLink LNG site
Key Takeaways:
The six-storey industrial project is using vertical space to make the most out of limited industrial land in Metro Vancouver.
The project includes a cafe, rooftop space, a dog area and more for businesses to mingle.
Before construction, the project team canvassed the community to make sure it would target local needs first.
The Whole Story:
An innovative project in Metro Vancouver isn’t just looking to add supply to the region’s tight industrial market. It wants to create a community.
Wesbild’s Marine landing, which broke ground this March, features two, six-storey stacked industrial and office buildings at 170,000 square feet each, with flexible strata workspaces ranging from 600 to 34,000 square feet. The smaller unit sizes provide appropriate floorplates for businesses with less need for physical square footage, but still require all the functionality and flexibility of a modern industrial space. The larger industrial units provide open-concept spaces ideal for businesses that need open areas and purpose-built industrial amenities.
“It accommodates industrial use vertically as opposed to horizontally,” explained Lilian Arishenkoff, senior VP of development for Wesbild. “That’s a new evolution in industrial spaces, primarily for urban areas. With land prices so high and vacancy so low, we have had to think of new ways to accommodate those needs. To get maximum density out of the site, we have gone upwards.”
The project is the first six-storey industrial project in Western Canada. But it’s not just about volume.
“Whatever we do – residential, commercial, mixed-use, industrial – there is a focus on creating community,” added Arishenkoff. “We put a lot of thought into what it will be like to live there and spend time there. Quite frankly, most of our time is spent at our place of business so we want to make a place where people are comfortable.”
Before developing the project, the team canvassed the surrounding area for several kilometres to see what sort of businesses might be looking for new space and if they would be interested in buying their own unit.
“We didn’t want to come in and be a development that brings in people from the outside,” said Arishenkoff. “We wanted to work with the existing community framework.”
Units have been sold to several local companies including a fishing lure manufacturer, dental crown manufacturer, an action figure importer and fashion wholesalers. Breka Bakery is also setting up a new commissary and 24/7 café at the project.
“We put a lot of effort into designing spaces and landscapes that provide opportunities for chance meetings, to rub shoulders with someone you may not have otherwise met or connected with,” said Arishenkoff.
The design features oversized elevators, extra-wide corridors, at-grade and dock loading areas, wide loading bays, spacious delivery facilities to make logistics easier with more than 50 oversized parking stalls, 395 regular sized parking stalls, including 42 EV charging stations, large flexible lounge space for meetings, events and socializing, a full kitchen and more. It’s also a six-minute walk to marine gateway shops, residences, and the Canada Line – an important feature for owners and employees who want to avoid Metro Vancouver’s car traffic, noted Arishenkoff.
The site currently has two cranes up and work is being done on footings and columns. Arishenkoff anticipates construction could be done near the end of 2024. She said that there are still units available in the second building. The greatest demand has been for the industrial units while office units have moved a bit slower. However, one of the office buyers is the building’s architect.
“I think that shows the high level of support and confidence there is in what we have designed here,” said Arishenkoff. “The purchasers are eclectic and it’s going to be really cool to have all these different people together. We will see how it plays out as this hasn’t been done before. We are hoping it’s going to be a really successful mix of folks.”
Photos: Renderings show the interior design of Marine Landing
Key Takeaways:
Aecon-EBC General Partnership was selected for the first phase of a $245 million contract to do seismic upgrades on the dam.
The work involves upgrading earth stabilizing infrastructure.
The team is still waiting on a final project decision from BC Hydro but anticipates work could begin in 2023 and wrap up in 2026.
The Whole Story:
A consortium led by Aecon has won the first phase of a $245 million contract for work on the John Hart Dam.
Aecon-EBC General Partnership (AEGP), a consortium between Aecon (60 per cent) and EBC (40 per cent) in which Aecon is the lead partner, has been awarded the first phase of a two-phase civil construction contract for the John Hart Dam Seismic Upgrade project in Campbell River, B.C.
The scope of work involves upgrading earth stabilizing infrastructure to improve the seismic resiliency of the existing John Hart Dam. Aecon’s share of the contract will be added to its Construction segment backlog in the fourth quarter of 2022.
Aecon stated that an Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) phase will begin this year to collaboratively plan and prepare for construction. The company added that upon successful completion of the ECI phase and following BC Hydro’s final project decision, BC Hydro intends to issue authorization to proceed with construction, which is expected to commence in the third quarter of 2023 with anticipated completion by the end of 2026.
Aecon is no stranger to the site. An Aecon-led joint venture completed the John Hart Generating Station Replacement project in 2019, which included the construction of a new water intake, the replacement of three penstocks with a tunnel, and the construction of a new underground generating station and water bypass facility. The innovative project was the first hydroelectric Public-Private Partnership (P3) in Canada and was recognized with the 2018 Tunnelling Association of Canada Award of Excellence.
“This project will ensure the continued supply of safe, reliable power for surrounding communities and adds another signature project to our diverse backlog in Western Canada – underscoring our preeminent reputation as the preferred contractor for complex civil construction,” said Jean-Louis Servranckx, president and chief executive officer, Aecon Group Inc. “We are proud of the critical role Aecon played in successfully delivering the John Hart Generating Station Replacement project and we look forward to working with our partner while further strengthening our relationship with BC Hydro through this collaborative approach.”
Video: John Hart Generation Station Replacement Project completed
BC Hydro presents their final update on the the John Hart Generation Station Replacement Project, which Aecon worked on.
The Société de transport de Montréal (STM) is launching a call for tenders for the Blue line extension’s largest contract.
It includes the construction of the tunnel and the preparation of the sites of some future stations and auxiliary structures for the Blue line extension project.
STM is the project manager and principal contractor for the extension. This step follows the request for qualification of suppliers issued earlier this year. It is the largest contract to be awarded as part of this major project, which will transform the lives of Montréal’s east end residents.
The winning bidder will be announced in the second half of 2023 and will be responsible for:
The detailed design, supply and operation of the tunnel boring machine.
The construction of the tunnel between Pie-IX and Anjou West using a tunnel boring machine.
The construction of the tunnel between Pie-IX and the tail tracks of the current Blue line using conventional tunnelling methods.
The excavation of Pie-IX (main entrance building only), Viau and Lacordaire stations and some auxiliary structures.
In addition to its efficiency, the tunnel boring machine is powered by electricity, making it an eco-friendly and quiet option, says STM.
“The Blue line extension is a high-priority project for the revitalization of Montreal’s east end and for mobility in the metropolitan area. Geneviève Guilbault, deputy minister and minister of transport and sustainable mobilityThe project is finally taking shape with the construction of a new tunnel that will connect five new stations to the métro network by 2029. The Quebec government is making every effort to deliver this long-awaited project. We can’t stress this enough: given the climate crisis, developing public transit systems is at the forefront of solutions to support sustainable mobility.”
In summer 2022, the STM received authorization from the Quebec government to move forward with the execution phase, making it possible to launch the call for tenders. STM noted that other calls for tenders will follow in the coming months to award the various contracts that will eventually bring the project to life.
The STM said the Blue line extension will be commissioned in the fall of 2029 will allow residents to benefit from a new sustainable mobility option that will provide an attractive and efficient service over single-occupant car use.
A diagram shows how an electric tunnel boring machine will be used for the extension. – STM
Key Takeaways:
The project is a joint effort between the city of Leduc, Alberta Transportation and the Edmonton Regional Airports Authority.
It involves a new overpass, on-off ramps, roads and more.
Work is expected to begin next winter.
The Whole Story:
Graham will build the 65th Avenue Interchange project in the city of Leduc.
Graham announced this month that it was selected by the city for the project. The QEII and 65th Avenue Interchange project is a joint effort between the city, Alberta Transportation, and the Edmonton Regional Airports Authority. About 49,700 vehicles travel the stretch of the QEII Highway every day.
Officials anticipate the $112 million project will support 660 jobs.
Key components of the project includes: new overpass over the QEII Highway; new on-off ramps from the QEII Highway; improvements to some existing ramps; intersection improvements at 65 Avenue and 50 Street in Leduc; and, completion of Perimeter Road and 65 Avenue, west of the QEII Highway.
“This project is a massive undertaking and we are confident that Graham Construction LP will deliver exceptional results,” said Bob Young, Leduc mayor. “Once complete, the interchange will offer significant positive economic impacts and infrastructure upgrades that will benefit Leduc for years to come as we continue to grow and attract big business to the area.”
Graham noted that its team is highly experienced in delivering projects of this scope and complexity, including the Macleod Trail Interchange in Calgary, and the Groat Road Bridge and Road Renewals in Edmonton.
“We look forward to partnering with the city of Leduc and Alberta Transportation to deliver this critical infrastructure,” says Tom Cole, Graham’s vice president of Infrastructure. “The interchange will support safety and ease of movement of people and goods and Graham is proud to be part of the project that will bring significant and long-standing benefits to the community.”
Construction is anticipated to take approximately three years and will begin in winter 2023.
Work is set to begin on a massive industrial development in the Lower Mainland.
Xchange Business Park on Mt. Lehman Road in Abbotsford has received regulatory approval to begin construction on the first two buildings. The full design of Xchange includes 11 buildings and 1.3 million square feet of purpose-built light industrial space totalling 140 acres. The project is being developed by Hungerford Properties and QuadReal Property Group.
“One of the largest industrial developments in recent years, Xchange will help to meet the demand for industrial space in Abbotsford and add much-needed jobs to the growing community,” said Hungerford. “Forty acres will be dedicated to green space and have an amenity area that recognizes the nearby Matsqui First Nation.”
An industrial project of this size is becoming rarer and rarer in the region. According to a 2022 report by Avison Young, Metro Vancouver’s industrial vacancy rate is the lowest in Canada at 0.4 per cent. They anticipate more than 2.5 million square feet of industrial space will be delivered in the last quarter of the year but 95 per cent of it was already spoken for in the third quarter.
Prior to the approval, Wales McLelland has been providing pre-construction services, including development planning and re-zoning, along with de-risking activities such as critical constructability, budgeting, scheduling and site preparation.
Photos: Pre-construction work
Wales McLellandWales McLellandWales McLelland
Calgary celebrated the best of the city’s built environment with the ninth edition of the Mayor’s Urban Design Awards (MUDA).
“Thank you to all the participants of MUDA for striving to make Calgary a more beautiful, accessible and welcoming city through design,” said Mayor Jyoti Gondek. “The success you’ve achieved here in this wonderful diverse city we call home is from your bright minds and compassionate hearts. Thank you for keeping the world’s eyes on Calgary.”
This year’s awards saw a record 87 applicants compete in the 11 MUDA award categories. Officials noted that creating high quality public spaces that are inclusive and accessible was a common theme for this year’s winners and honourable mentions.
“It is an incredible time to make a life in Calgary and this event demonstrates real change that is happening right now in our city,” said Stuart Dalgleish, general manager of Calgary’s planning and development services. “Together, we are creating better spaces and places that are more accessible, equitable and environmentally sustainable. Your efforts contribute to a beautiful city where people want to live and make a great life.”
Student Projects: Urban Acupuncture by Alima Pal, Deepali Dang, Garima Chaudhary, Madiha Mehdi, Mona Meschi, Pranshul Dangwal and Shabnam Seifhamedan.
Alberta is looking to twin the final 215 kilometres of Highway 3.
Officials have released a request for proposals for the first of eight sections of this stretch. The remaining seven sections are at various stages of project readiness.
“Alberta is focused on visionary province and nation-building projects that support local businesses, secure people’s jobs and strengthen communities,” said Alberta Premier Danielle Smith. “Our economy relies on our highway network and the ability to connect Alberta to markets outside the province.”
Officials explained that the project will have several stages of development, including consultation, planning and design, land acquisition, environmental assessment, engineering, contract tendering and construction through challenging terrain. The Highway 3 twinning project is being done in a phased approach to maintain cost effectiveness and limit disruption.
The eight phases of this project include:
Phase 1: 46 kilometres – A request for proposals has been issued to the shortlisted design build proponents to twin Highway 3 between Taber and Burdett. Construction is expected to start in 2023.
Phase 2: 10 kilometres – Highway 3X/Coleman Bypass. Functional planning studies have been completed and detailed engineering design will begin in spring 2023.
Phase 3: 15 kilometres – East of Seven Persons to Medicine Hat. Functional planning studies have been completed and detailed engineering design will begin in spring 2023.
Phase 4: 47 kilometres – Blairmore to east of Highway 6 at Pincher Creek. Functional planning studies have been completed and detailed engineering design will begin in 2023.
Phase 5: 28 kilometres – East of Bow Island to east of Seven Persons. Functional planning studies have been completed and detailed engineering design will begin in summer 2023.
Phase 6: 23 kilometres – East of Burdett to east of Bow Island. A functional planning study has been completed and the province will continue to consult with the Town of Bow Island and other stakeholders in order to finalize the alignment.
Phase 7: 38 kilometres – Pincher Creek to west of Fort Macleod. A functional planning study through Piikani Nation is underway and will continue for some time.
Phase 8: Eight kilometres – Alberta-B.C. border to Highway 3X. Continued engagement with B.C. is necessary to consider alignment with improvements being planned through the B.C. portion.
VIDEO: Alberta officials announce Highway 3 plans
Key Takeaways:
The first tunnel-boring machine is progressing towards its first breakthrough while a second machine has been assembled and is set to launch.
A strike limited access to concrete, pushing the project completion date into 2026. Despite this, officials say the project remains on budget.
A precise update on the project timeline will be provided in the spring of 2023 when station excavation and tunnel boring are further advanced.
The Whole Story:
Work on the Broadway Subway project has reached another milestone with the imminent launch of the second tunnel-boring machine for the new rapid transit line.
The first machine launched Oct. 7 and has made significant progress toward its first breakthrough at Mount Pleasant Station, while the second machine is now fully assembled and set to launch.
The custom-designed tunnel-boring machines measure about six metres in diameter, 150 metres in length and weigh almost one million kilograms each. Named for Elizabeth (Elsie) MacGill and Phyllis Munday, the machines were manufactured in Germany, shipped to Canada in spring 2022, and assembled on concrete slabs at the launch site near Great Northern Way.
A five-week strike in June affected the concrete supply in the Lower Mainland, which affected the start of tunnel boring. As a result, the overall schedule for project completion has been moved from late 2025 into early 2026. A precise update on the project timeline will be provided in the spring of 2023 when station excavation and tunnel boring are further advanced. Despite the delay, officials say the project remains within budget.
Progress continues to be made on tunnelling work; more than half of the columns for the guideway between VCC-Clark and Great Northern Way-Emily Carr Station are complete. Construction and fit out of the stations and tracks will begin once tunnel boring has finished.
The Broadway Subway will extend the Millennium Line from VCC-Clark Station to the future Broadway and Arbutus station, providing fast, convenient SkyTrain service along the Broadway corridor, home to B.C.’s second-largest jobs centre, world-class health-care services, an emerging innovation and research hub, and growing residential communities.
The project will result in faster travel, better access and fewer cars on the road in this heavily used corridor. Once in service, the trip from VCC-Clark to Arbutus Station will take 11 minutes, saving the average transit commuter almost 30 minutes a day and relieving congestion along Broadway.
The Broadway Subway will also support new transit-oriented developments, which create efficient, livable communities and maximize the opportunities provided by the investment government is making in public transit.
It’s estimated the Broadway Subway project will create more than 13,000 direct and indirect jobs during construction, supporting economic development within the region and beyond.
VIDEO: How the Broadway Subway tunnel-boring machines work
PCL is on its way to hit a home run in Toronto with this renovation project.
While the Toronto Blue Jays rest during the off season, PCL Constructors Canada is hard at work on the multi-year Rogers Centre renovation. The contractor was awarded the first phase renovation contract by Rogers Stadium Limited Partnership in October.
The work is part of a $300 million multi-year renovation that aims to transform the 33-year-old multi-purpose stadium into a ballpark through a series of projects focused on modernizing the fan experience and building world-class player facilities.
Rogers Centre was conceptualized as a multi-purpose stadium when it opened in 1989 and has not undergone a large-scale renovation in its 33-year history.
“PCL and our partners are passionate about bringing the Toronto Blue Jays’ reimagined vision for Rogers Centre to life,” said Monique Buckberger, vice president and district manager, PCL Toronto. “Following months of preconstruction planning, our team hit the ground running on the first phase of renovations to give the home of Canada’s Major League Baseball team a new look for the 2023 Home Opener.”
To meet the fast-track schedule, PCL’s work is being sequenced in two shifts over a six-day work week. Officials say demolition to bring portions of the stadium back to base is already nearing completion, enabling next steps, which opens to fans on the 2023 season Blue Jays home opener on April 11, including:
Field level:
Players’ family room.
5,000 sq. ft. weight room.
Staff locker rooms.
100 level and 200 level outfield:
Creation of multiple new social spaces with patios, drink rails, bars, and viewing platforms
Raised bullpens surrounded by traditional and new bleacher seats, as well as social viewing areas that look into the bullpens to increase fan and player interaction.
100 level seats brought forward to the new outfield walls to brings fans closer to the game.
500 level:
Two new social decks in right and left field.
Replacing every 500-level seat from the originals when the building opened.
The demolition work began Oct. 14 with 500 level seat removal (all to be replaced for the 2023 season), followed by structural demolition of the outfield beginning on October 20. Demolition work was completed Nov. 18, culminating in 35 days of work and approximately 21,000 worker hours. An average of about 110 workers have been on site daily, six days per week, including about 50 workers dedicated to demolition.
The demolition work has resulted in 2.2 million pounds of materials getting recycled, including 1.3 million pounds of concrete. 900,000 pounds of steel and metal.
Crews used a 200-tonne crane for heavy structural removal, while small machinery was utilized to break up concrete.
The outfield turf has been protected or removed in certain areas to facilitate construction, while the infield remains accessible to the Blue Jays Field Operations team to continue offseason work.
PCL says it took approximately one month to remove the 500 level seats (around 17,000 of them) and railings. Two mobile cranes (90 tonne and 50 tonne) were used to bring the seats down from. New seats will be delivered in January.
PCL noted that the size of the stadium allows for multiple projects to progress at the same time, so while demolition was being completed, building began the second week of November with concrete poured in the 500 level and new structural steel installation.
PHOTOS: PCL crews working at Rogers Centre
Alberta plans to start work upgrading one of the province’s busiest roads, Deerfoot Trail, next year.
According to the province, 180,000 vehicles use Deerfoot Trail each day as the major north-south route through Calgary and as an important trade corridor for moving goods across the province. To improve the commutes of Calgarians, visitors and truckers, Alberta’s government is targeting key bottlenecks on Deerfoot Trail between Glenmore Trail and Anderson Road/Bow Bottom Trail in a large expansion project.
Officials say improvements to this section of Deerfoot Trail will enhance safety and, when completed, are expected to reduce driver commutes by about 15 per cent during peak morning travel hours and by about 22 per cent during peak evening travel hours. In total, the upgrades mean travellers will save about 900,000 hours a year, which will provide an annual economic boost of about $23 million.
The Deerfoot Trail expansion project will include:
Improving the Bow Bottom Trail and Anderson Road, Southland Drive and Glenmore Trail interchanges.
Seven new bridge structures at Anderson Road and Bow Bottom Trail, Bow River, Southland Drive and Glenmore Trail.
Adding more lanes to Deerfoot Trail along the highway and through the Anderson Road/Bow Bottom Trails and Glenmore Trail Interchanges.
Alberta Transportation and Economic Corridors has amended its existing public-private partnership procurement process to address critical improvements for this expansion. The process will continue with pre-qualified teams with the intention that the successful proponent will be selected and the contract will be awarded in spring 2023.
Construction is expected to begin in 2023 and be completed in 2027.
Minister of Transportation and Economic Corridors Devin Dreeshen announces major improvements to Deerfoot Trail. – Province of Alberta
Editor’s note: This project was also featured in the “Project Updates” section of our newsletter.
Key Takeaways:
The contract was snagged by Connect 6ix, which was led by Hitachi Rail, Plenary Americas, WeBuild Group and Transdev Canada Inc.
The contract involves design, build, operations and maintenance work that will extend for 30 years.
The Ontario Line is being delivered through various P3, progressive design-build and traditional procurement contracts.
The Whole Story:
Infrastructure Ontario (IO) and Metrolinx have awarded a massive, $9 billion contract to design, build, finance, operate and maintain the Ontario Line Rolling Stock, Systems, Operations and Maintenance (RSSOM) package for a 30-year term.
The contract, won by Connect 6ix, consists of $2.3B for capital costs and $6.7B for short-term construction financing and transaction costs, train costs and 30-year operations and maintenance, lifecycle, and long-term financing.
“As a world leader in autonomous metro systems, we’re hugely excited to help transform Toronto’s transit network by delivering the new Ontario Line,” said Andrew Barr, CEO of Hitatchi Rail. “This will be the second major program that we’ll be bring our digital expertise and engineering excellence to deliver in Canada, after the Hurontario light rail transit project. Our role delivering maintenance and operations for the next 30 years will see us having a lasting presence in Toronto for a generation to come.”
A map shows the route and stations for the Ontario Line. – Metrolinx
According to the province, the team was chosen through an open and competitive procurement process overseen by a third-party fairness monitor.
“Connect 6ix submitted the proposal which delivers the best value for Ontario taxpayers,” said officials. “The project is being delivered through IO’s Public-Private Partnership (P3) model, which transfers appropriate risks associated with design, construction, financing, operations and maintenance of the project to the private sector.”
The team will begin mobilizing their design and construction crews, with work to commence in 2023. The project is anticipated to be completed in 2031. Once all the civil infrastructure elements and systems from Ontario Line North and South segments have been completed, integrated and certified, Connect 6ix will then begin operating and maintaining the Ontario Line for a 30-year term.
The Connect 6ix team stated that it anticipates that the work on the RSSOM contract will strengthen Ontario’s economy by supporting an estimated 800 jobs, the majority of which will come from the Greater Toronto Area.
The scope of the work
The Ontario Line RSSOM package is a design, build, finance, operate, maintain contract that covers a 30-year term. It includes:
Designing, supplying, operating and maintaining the rolling stock (trains).
Designing, building, operating and maintaining all track and systems (communications and train control).
Designing, building, operating and maintaining the Maintenance and Storage Facility (where the trains are stored) and the Operations Control Centre (where staff control train operations and are connected to TTC and GO Transit systems) and backup operations control centre.
Working collaboratively with TTC according to future operations and maintenance agreements.
Integrating fare equipment with the PRESTO system.
The province noted that the Ontario Line project is being delivered through various P3, progressive design-build and traditional procurement contracts, which are all being staged accordingly for their successful delivery.
The Ontario Line will be a 15.6-kilometre new rapid transit line running between the Ontario Science Centre and Exhibition/Ontario Place in Toronto, with 15 stations, including six interchange stations. The new line will provide more than 40 connections to other subway, bus, streetcar, light-rail transit and regional rail services. When in service, the Ontario Line will be operated by Connect 6ix and owned by the provincial transit agency Metrolinx.
The trains will travel at speeds upwards of 80 kilometres per hour and will be powered entirely by electricity. The Connect 6ix anticipates the project will take roughly 28,000 cars off the city’s roads each day.
Ontario Line renderings show what the new stations, tracks and vehicles could look like. – Government of Ontario
Key Takeaways:
Ontario will build the first 2+1 highway project in North America.
The road design was first conceived in Sweden where vehicle accident death rates have plummeted.
The change has long been advocated for by road safety groups.
The Whole Story:
Ontario is embarking on an innovative road project that will see North America’s first ever 2+1 highway. While it’s a first for this continent, it has been widely used elsewhere in the world.
What is a 2+1?
No, it’s not a math problem from your first grade textbook.
A 2+1 highway is a three-lane highway with a centre passing lane that changes direction approximately every two to five kilometres. Officials stated that the highway model is used in other jurisdictions around the world and is more cost efficient than twinning a highway.
An infographic shows how a 2+1 road system works. – Ontario Ministry of Transportation
“This first of its kind highway pilot in North America will keep people and goods moving safely across Northern Ontario,” said Caroline Mulroney, minister of transportation. “This is a key next step to get shovels in the ground on critical infrastructure projects that will support a strong transportation network and create jobs.”
RFP issued by Ministry of Transportation
This November the province issued a request for proposals (RFP) to implement the model on Highway 11 north of North Bay.
Qualified highway design consultants can submit their proposals for design and environmental assessment work through the Ministry of Transportation’s e-tendering portal until December 2022. The province will evaluate submissions and announce the successful bidder in 2023.
“The 2+1 highway project is an important part of our government’s plan to build Ontario,” said Vic Fedeli, minister of economic development, job Creation and trade, and MPP for Nipissing. “This pilot project will help address the unique transportation needs of people and businesses in Northern Ontario that rely on our roads and highways to get where they need to go. Together, we’re strengthening the economy and growing the North.”
Made in Sweden
The concept is widely used outside of North America. It was first built out in Sweden which was experiencing high rates of vehicle accidents and deaths. In the 1980s, comprehensive accident data by road type became available revealing wide two-lane roads and especially semi-motorways had the worst safety records of all road types in terms of fatalities and severe injuries. Almost 100 out of a total 400 people killed per year on state roads died on these wide two-lane roads making them an extreme fatality risk.
Dramatic safety results
The Swedish Road Administration proposed the 2+1 concept as a low-cost solution and it was implemented in the 1990s. Now thousands of kilometres of Swedish roads are 2+1. A study that analyzed accident data before and after the implementation showed the total number of fatalities and seriously injured decreased by 50 per cent and the total number of personal injury crashes decreased by 21 per cent.
Researchers also found the severity consequence – the rate of the number of killed and seriously injured divided by the number of personal injury crashes – decreased by 38 per cent.
The concept has since been adopted in many other countries. Sweden was presented with the Global Innovation Award in 2020 for the 2+1 road concept.
Going the Extra Mile for Safety (GEMS), a road safety advocacy group based in Ontario, has long advocated for the 2+1 system.
“We’re excited to see the 2+1 pilot project moving forward. We’ve been working with Ontario for several years regarding safety on Highway 11 and have advocated for the 2+1 model,” said Helene Culhane, chair of GEMS. “It is gratifying to see our hard work is paying off. Our main goal has always been the safety of our roads and our travellers, and we can’t thank the Ministry enough for delivering on their promise.”
Key Takeaways:
Edmonton’s Sacred Heart Church of the First Peoples suffered severe fire damage due to an accident in 2020.
Clark Builders assisted with the restoration, which include lots of complex, custom work.
The project’s scope and schedule changed when it was announced that Pope Francis would be visiting the church as part of reconciliation efforts with Canada’s Indigenous community.
The Whole Story:
When Rev. Mark Blom walked through the scorched sanctuary of Sacred Heart Church of the First Peoples, it felt like he was being punched in the gut.
“I’ve noticed people who drive by who want to kind of look and see what’s happening, you can tell they are very close to tears. It hurts,” said the associate pastor, just weeks after a fire ripped through the Edmonton building. “And the first thing we do is validate their emotions. We validate their feelings. And then we just remind them no one was hurt. No one caused this fire on purpose. We have insurance. We’ll be able to rebuild.”
Debris is scattered along the floor of Sacred Heart Church of the First Peoples following a fire. – The Catholic Archdiocese of Edmonton
Historic church vows to rebuild
The downtown Edmonton church was built in 1913, making it among the oldest Catholic churches in the city. In 1991 Archbishop Joseph MacNeil designated it as a national parish for First Nations, Métis, and Inuit people, meaning that anyone with Indigenous ancestry is considered a parishioner. It was the first of its kind in Canada.
“We are often reminding people that the true church is not the building, it’s the people of God,” Blom said during the fire’s aftermath. “However, we become very attached to our buildings. The power of our religious affections rests upon the sacred art, the sacred place where we pray.”
When church leaders began imagining how they would rebuild, they sought to incorporate Aboriginal cultures and spiritualities. Their plan included a medicine wheel, a redesigned circular altar, replacement of three damaged stained-glass windows, and repairing the Indigenous representation of the Way of the Cross. They felt that the integration of Indigenous elements would support liturgies and sacramental celebrations that truly reflect the culture of those gathered together in Indigenous Catholic community.
Pope announces historic visit
When the church began efforts to rebuild, they turned to Clark Builders’ special projects division. Jason Clooney, superintendent for the Sacred Heart Project, explained that he and his highly experienced team immediately felt the immense importance of the project to the community.
“It involved a lot of custom work,” Said Clooney. “All the woodworking that was completed on this job was within the Clark Builder’s realm of employees.”
However, the project was soon thrust into the national and even international spotlight when it was announced that Pope Francis would visit the church as part of his pilgrimage of healing and reconciliation with Canada’s Indigenous people.
The project team was now coordinating with high level RCMP officials, Edmonton Police, Global Affairs Canada, the archdiocese, the Vatican and The Swiss Guard to ensure the site was secure and preparations for the visit were made.
Videographers captured the historic work done to prepare for Sacred Heart’s Papal visit. – Clark Builders
With the visit date set in stone, the team had no choice but to crush their deadlines by working from sunrise to sunset.
“We really had to overcome and adapt daily,” said Clooney. “There was no time to say ‘great idea, let’s talk about it.’ We made those decisions on site based on what looks good and what we were trying to achieve.”
The visit threw other curveballs at the team. Just 10 days before the visit they were informed that the Pope’s mobility issues required a temporary custom wheelchair ramp inside the church to the stage that couldn’t damage the floors.
“We didn’t have a backburner so we made it work and we made it to a point where it was safe, acceptable for occupancy with zero incidents, zero injuries and we came out unscathed and proud,” said Clooney. “It’s not every day you get to turn on the TV for something being watched by millions and see your workmanship.”
Giving back a spiritual home
Clooney was one of only a handful of Canadians who was invited to attend the Pope’s visit. While he acknowledged that the Papal visit was exciting and challenging, the true pride for him was helping restore a spiritually important facility for its daily prisoners.
Part of the construction process involved installing a massive teepee with 32-foot poles under the guidance of Indigenous leaders. They held a ceremony and Indigenous leaders helped them tie the poles in the traditional way.
“We gave back a church that is historically important to the community,” said Clooney. “We were able to bring that back to life for the people that truly need to be in this space that is safe and comforting. Their choice of healing is here and we were able to give that back.”
A Clark Builders tradesperson work on a window at Sacred Heart Church of the First Peoples. – Clark Builders
Key Takeaways:
The final contract involves trackwork design and installation, and electrical systems work.
The RFQ is set to close Jan. 23.
Officials expect project work to begin in 2024.
The Whole Story:
B.C. is on the hunt for its third and final contract on the Surrey Langley SkyTrain project.
The Surrey Langley SkyTrain project is a 16-kilometre extension of the Expo Line from King George Station to Langley City Centre and is the first rapid transit expansion south of the Fraser River in 30 years. Once complete, the project will provide transportation for people in Surrey, Langley and across Metro Vancouver.
As part of the competitive selection process, a request for qualifications (RFQ) has been issued for the systems and trackwork contract, which includes the design and installation of the SkyTrain trackwork, as well as the design, installation and integration of electrical systems, such as power, telecommunications and automatic train control.
The RFQ will close Jan. 23, 2023. Following evaluation, as many as three teams will be selected to participate in the next stage of the competitive selection process, which is the request for proposals (RFP).
The Surrey Langley SkyTrain project is being delivered through three separate contracts. According to the province, the multi-contract approach will increase competition and enable a broader range of companies to bid on different elements of the project.
The first RFQ was issued on Aug 2, 2022, to build the elevated guideway, roadworks and utilities, as well as active transportation elements, such as cycling and walking paths along the extension. The second RFQ was issued in October 2022 to identify a contractor for the construction of eight new SkyTrain stations, including active transportation elements around the new stations.
Major construction on the Surrey Langley SkyTrain project is expected to begin in 2024, and the extension is anticipated to be operational in late 2028.
Key Takeaways:
The Bradford Bypass is a new four-lane freeway that will connect Highway 400 and Highway 404 in Simcoe County and York Region.
During the construction period, the Bradford Bypass is expected to contribute $274 million in annual real GDP and support 2,640 jobs per year on average in the transportation, engineering, construction and supply-chain industries.
Motorists and commercial truck drivers are expected to up to 35 minutes per trip compared to other routes.
The Whole Story:
Ontario announced construction has begun on a bridge crossing over the future Bradford Bypass.
Ontario officials called it a milestone in the province’s plan to relieve gridlock, create jobs and connect communities in the rapidly-growing Greater Golden Horseshoe.
“Our government will be relentless in delivering on our ambitious plan to build the much needed infrastructure that our growing province needs,” said Premier Doug Ford. “Building the Bradford Bypass is a key part of our plan to fight gridlock in the Greater Golden Horseshoe, helping commuters spend less time in traffic while creating good paying jobs for the people of this region.”
Earlier this year, Brennan Paving & Construction Ltd. was awarded the contract to design and construct the new bridge which will allow County of Simcoe Road 4 (Yonge Street) between 8th Line and 9th Line to cross over the future Bradford Bypass. The project will also include widening County Road 4 from two to four lanes.
“Gridlock makes life harder for Ontario businesses and farmers who rely on a strong highway network to get their goods to market quickly,” said Caroline Mulroney, minister of transportation. “This important milestone brings us another step closer to getting the Bradford Bypass built, improving economic productivity and eliminating the gridlock that hurts us all.”
To promote efficiencies between the Bradford Bypass project and the County of Simcoe’s planned expansion work on County Road 4, an agreement is in place to better coordinate the construction approach, which the province says will save taxpayer dollars and optimize the work required to improve gridlock and reduce the risk of construction delays.
A map shows the project site. – Government of Ontario
The Ontario Road Builders’ Association (ORBA) said it was very pleased by the news.
“This bypass is needed and welcomed by the road building industry as more than $785 million of goods per day move on Ontario’s highways, making the transportation system the backbone of our export-driven economy,” said Kevin Machej, ORBA president.
Machej added that the Bradford Bypass will relieve congestion on existing east-west roads in Bradford and provide a northern connection between Highway 400 and Highway 404, saving time and reducing greenhouse gasses.
“The Bypass will significantly contribute to Ontario’s growing economy by creating jobs during construction, connecting people to major employment areas and attracting more businesses to the region,” he said.
A project specific assessment of environmental impacts in accordance with Ontario Regulation 697/21 for the project is currently underway and is expected to be completed in 2023.
In 2022-23, Ontario is investing $3 billion to expand and repair provincial highways, roads and bridges, including over $761 million to expand the province’s highways and bridges, and more than $1.5 billion for rehabilitation projects.
