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The B.C. Transportation Consulting Engineers Awards recognizes technical excellence in consulting engineer services provided to improve B.C.’s transportation infrastructure. B.C.’s consulting engineers are responsible for the design of highway and transportation infrastructure, including roads, bridges and transit infrastructure. Designs are complex and must consider many different structural, geotechnical, social and environmental variables. These include sub-surface structure and stability, community/traffic flow needs during each phase of construction, and building for future use, needs and technologies. Award for Road Design and Engineering Innovation. McElhanney Ltd. And BGC Engineering Project: Peers Creek Frontage Road Recovery Location: Hope The Peers Creek Frontage Road Recovery project in Hope is a model of collaborative infrastructure restoration. This project stemmed from severe flooding of the Coquihalla River during the 2021 atmospheric river event, which disrupted Peers Creek Frontage Road near Hope, cutting off access for residents and the Trans Mountain Pipeline Expansion Project. McElhanney and BGC Engineering provided swift and innovative solutions. McElhanney’s interim road design minimized waste for the future permanent solution and expedited access restoration, while BGC’s hydrotechnical assessment addressed future climate impacts and environmental concerns. This collaborative effort not only restored vital access quickly, but also enhanced the corridor’s resilience in the final design. This project exemplifies a commitment to sustainability and climate resilience by addressing extreme weather impacts and ensuring long-term stability. It also demonstrated how collaboration can accelerate project timelines and deliver resilient, permanent infrastructure, benefiting the people who rely on this critical transportation corridor. Award for Structural Design and Engineering Achievement WSP Canada Inc. Project: Narcosli Creek Bridge Location: 25 km south of Quesnel The Narcosli Creek Bridge project is a testament to engineering adaptability and resilience. Following significant flooding in 2018, the existing West Fraser Road and Narcosli Creek Bridge suffered severe damage. A new route was developed to bypass unstable zones, calling for a robust, climate-resilient bridge spanning the creek’s floodplain. WSP Canada Inc. (WSP) successfully designed the bridge to accommodate increased flood flows and future climate change impacts. Innovative design choices, such as extended steel pipe piles and low-carbon reinforcing steel, prioritize long-term sustainability and reduced maintenance costs. Environmental considerations were integral to the project schedule, resulting in a deliberately innovative construction approach that minimized impact while ensuring exceptional results. By prioritizing environmental preservation and exceptional engineering foresight, the Narcosli Creek Bridge project sets a high standard for resilient infrastructure development. Glacier Technical Services Ltd. Project: TCH no. 1 Quartz Creek Bridge Replacement and Four-Laning Location: 40 km west of Golden on the Trans-Canada Highway The Quartz Creek Bridge Replacement and Four-Laning Project, was successfully executed under Glacier Technical Services Ltd. (Glacier)’s skilled supervision. This ambitious project included replacing the Quartz Creek Bridge with a 184-meter-long, three-span, four-lane structure and completing extensive highway upgrades, wildlife underpasses, and culvert replacements. The project was especially challenging due to its remote location and harsh climate. Glacier’s team provided expert guidance and mentorship to a contractor new to B.C. highway construction work, ensuring the project’s timely completion and adherence to high quality standards. Their collaborative approach, combined with effective issue resolution and cost management, resulted in a project delivered within budget and on schedule. Glacier’s investment in future leadership through mentorship fosters succession planning for the next generation of professionals. Associated Engineering Project: Structural Emergency Response Location: Province Wide Associated Engineering (AE) excels in emergency bridge response and their ability to rapidly mobilize skilled teams to address critical issues, like the Oliver Underpass Impact, Ladner Underpass Impact and Red Bridge fire. Their innovative approaches, exemplified by custom designs and advanced technologies, ensure efficient and cost-effective repairs. Their ability to coordinate effectively with all parties involved guarantees that they can respond to emergencies with the urgency and precision required, providing timely and effective solutions that restore normalcy and safety. AE’s dedication to public safety drives their focus on exceeding safety standards through innovative solutions, ensuring the well-being of communities and minimizing disruptions to essential infrastructure. Project: George Massey Tunnel Reversible Lane Control System Rehabilitation Location: Metro Vancouver PBX Engineering’s exceptional work on the George Massey Tunnel Reversible Lane Control System Rehabilitation Project showcases their innovative problem-solving and commitment to safety and efficiency. Highway 99 is a vital trade route and commuter connection across the Fraser River. The George Massey Tunnel relies on a Reversible Lane Control System to manage traffic flow and maximize capacity during peak times. By leveraging lessons from past projects and prioritizing reuse of serviceable equipment, they delivered a cost-effective and sustainable solution. Their meticulous planning, rigorous testing plans, and focus on stakeholder collaboration ensured a smooth project execution. A key component of the project was coordinating the system upgrades while minimizing traffic disruptions on this busy corridor. PBX Engineering’s innovative designs not only improve system reliability and maintainability but also enhance cybersecurity measures, positioning them as leaders in specialized engineering services. R.F. Binnie & Associates Project: Highway 1 – Chase Creek Road to Chase West Location: Highway 1 between Neskonlith Community and the Village of Chase R.F. Binnie & Associates’ Highway 1 Chase West four-laning project prioritizes safety and accessibility for the Neskonlith Community and the Village of Chase. The project involved widening a 3.3-kilometer section of highway and constructing two at-grade protected T-intersections, all while enhancing active transportation options. By engaging with First Nations, the municipal government, businesses, and residents, the project team developed a comprehensive active transportation network, including a grade-separated tunnel, multi-use paths, crosswalks, and paved shoulders. The project also considered the needs of the local farming community by incorporating a livestock underpass. With strong community support and a commitment to safety and sustainability, R.F. Binnie’s innovative approach encourages sustainable travel options in a rural environment. McElhanney Ltd. Project: Highway 37/37A Corridor Planning Study Location: Highway 37 from Kitwanga to the Yukon Border and Highway 37A from Meziadin to Stewart McElhanney’s Highway 37/37A Corridor Planning Study evaluated nearly 800 kilometers of vital routes in northern BC, connecting communities, businesses, and natural resource industrial sites. Their study assessed highway performance, identified improvement opportunities, and guided long-term investment decisions. Extensive public consultation was key, engaging over 700 participants and collecting more than 10,000 data points through surveys, in-person sessions, and virtual meetings. By engaging with First Nations and local communities, McElhanney identified opportunities to overcome existing corridor challenges with a comprehensive strategy that highlighted the corridor’s economic and community value. This innovative approach ensured safety, mobility, and long-term prosperity for all users of this important corridor. |
