The famous revolving ‘W’ was also to be saved and be placed back on the new building. The ‘W’ sign was craned off the building, and the building was prepared for demolition’s greatest spectacle – Controlled Explosive Demolition. Extensive shoring was completed in the wood structure, and parts of the building were demolished conventionally to clear the way for the implosion.
The project involved the construction of two separate buildings on adjacent lots. This work encompassed 11,000 m³ of bulk excavation, detailed footing excavation, under slab trenching, perimeter drain installation, slab-on-grade preparation, and the installation of both onsite and offsite utilities.
Onsite utilities included water service installation, sanitary works, and storm works, which featured the construction of three rock pits. Additionally, the project required the installation of onsite lighting and BC Hydro infrastructure, including a PMT and concrete encasement as necessary.
The Onsite scope of work also covered the preparation and installation of hardscaping elements, such as paving, sidewalks, and curb and gutter systems, as well as the preparation of softscape areas.
The offsite scope of work involved the removal and replacement of 1,200 m² of concrete sidewalk, 450 meters of concrete curb and gutter, and 1,400 m² of asphalt. Additionally, it included drainage upgrades, tying in new building services (water, storm, and sanitary) to municipal mains, and rerouting Hydro and Telus lines to move power and Telus services from overhead to underground. The project also encompassed the installation of offsite street lighting.
Highstreet approached Copcan to tender the project in July 2022, despite the drawings not being fully complete and some aspects missing. Following the tender close, Copcan collaborated with Highstreet to ensure the project could proceed according to their schedule. Copcan continued to work closely with Highstreet as IFC (Issued for Construction) drawings were developed during the construction stage, maintaining both the project schedule and high-quality standards.
The offsite works occurred on municipal roadways, with one road being the main highway through Parksville. Copcan manages traffic control with the City of Parksville and Highstreet while completing the work with no incidents.
Scheduling was a challenge on this project, as two separate buildings were being constructed simultaneously, each with slightly different timelines and trade schedules. Copcan coordinated closely with Highstreet’s superintendent and other sub-trades on site to ensure that the schedule was maintained for both buildings. Despite these challenges, the project finished on schedule.
Construction began in the summer of 2022 and was completed in November 2023. Copcan completed the contract work on schedule and was awarded additional work during construction that was not included in the original scope. Copcan worked collaboratively with sub-trades, local municipalities, and Highstreet’s superintendent to bring the project to completion, ensuring the satisfaction of all parties involved.
BEL Contracting managed multiple aspects of the project, including:
The overlap between the Spill Response Base and the CSRR project required meticulous planning to manage space constraints and scheduling conflicts. BEL Contracting’s role as the contractor for both projects streamlined coordination, ensuring efficient communication and problem-solving.
Completed in July 2021, this $6 million project enhanced WCMRC’s operational capacity in Vancouver, ensuring readiness for spill response with improved infrastructure and utilities.
DMAF (Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund) Cook St. Sewer Upgrades aimed to replace over 200 m of sanitary sewer pipe 3 to 6 m deep on a high-traffic corridor in Victoria BC. The PVC pipe varied from 200 mm to 600 mm in diameter, with connections to existing PVC, CIPP, and VITC pipes. Additionally, 3 new large diameter (1350 mm) manholes were installed, and surface restoration included concrete works, paving, landscaping and reinstating traffic detector loops.
The primary technical challenge faced during construction was due to unstable ground conditions. Multiple trench collapses occurred, causing safety and constructability concerns. Another major challenge faced during construction was working in such a deep trench on a busy city road. The extreme spatial constraints and presence of several existing utilities (both underground and overhead) provided a challenge for our crews to maintain productivity. To work through these factors, management re-assessed project targets and scheduling daily. Additionally, productivity was slowed to ensure the safety of the crew and to manage unexpected conditions.
Construction onsite began on February 12, 2024, and finished on June 11, 2024. Although construction took longer than expected due to the poor ground conditions and unforeseeable trench collapses, the sewer was installed as planned to everyone’s satisfaction. For a complex project such as this, the main goal is to ensure quality control targets are met and that everyone gets home safely every day. Both these targets were achieved.
While blasting was the main scope of work for this project, it was so much more. Much of the route was in greenfield areas, as such, the first work was to construct access roads. Once access was completed, blasting on grade could be started and eventually blasting for the pipeline trench. In geotechnically unstable areas, hand scaling, rock anchors, and rock fall mesh were installed.
The main obstacle for this project was the coast mountains; going through a heavily glaciated valley with snow ten months of the year, and up and over challenging steep slopes, including a 1.6km long steep slope from a river valley to a mountain ridge. We were able to successfully complete these challenges and more, utilizing a fleet of up to 40 drills simultaneously on various portions of the four spreads. Our fleet of excavator mount drills gave us the flexibility to get in and create working areas for our production drills, and our smaller drills were able to be moved by helicopter allowing for us to work in more spots than if we had been limited to working only from access roads.
NorLand continues to be at the forefront of Canada’s energy revolution, blazing new paths through previously unconquered wilds. NorLand’s unwavering focus on safety and excellence was pivotal in overcoming challenges and ensuring the project’s success. Proving once again that Anything. Possible.
The scope of the project consisted of the installation of approximately 52 m of reinforced concrete box sections,117 m of 3,048 mm ID reinforced PVC lined concrete pipe; and 162 m of 1,829 mm ID reinforced concrete pipe, full restoration of 153a Street and electrical works associated with flow control. Given the restrictive and highly trafficked urban setting, work was completed within the 14 m wide work zone, utilizing a 270-ton crane to install the pipe sections and detailed planning for the 7,000 cubic meter excavation and 6 m deep shoring of the trench as described below.
As noted, the large diameter pipe and design parameters created an equally large excavation. The trench, due to the twinned pipe design, was nine meters wide and up to six meters deep. Steel sheet pile shoring was used to support the ground and cut off the anticipated groundwater.
During the tender phase of the project, BEL noted the potential presence of contaminated materials. High metal and sporadic hydrocarbons were anticipated to be encountered, which required a phased approach to the construction. The environmental and commercial steps required were outlined by Metro Vancouver, which involved BEL establishing an off-site holding laydown, which would allow for soil testing and selection of the appropriate disposal site. BEL also completed a test dig program to confirm actual contamination, prior to excavation and hauling. This step allowed for BEL and Metro Vancouver to discuss the construction plan and finalize the commercial aspects of the task.
The excavation was shored open cut, utilizing 6 m length H-Pile beams, and steel sheet pile. This portion of the work was designed by BEL’s shoring subcontractor including all engineering signoff. The shoring was installed in 30-meter sections before the excavation commenced. Additionally, given the urban setting of the project, a number of underground and overhead utilities were encountered. Utility crossing supports and shoring modifications were designed and implemented to maintain the utilities and ensure the local businesses had no interruption.
As the pipe was installed, each pipe joint required a PVC liner joint to be welded on; this completed the pipe lining and created a fully sealed pipe system. As noted, the owner-supplied pipe was fabricated in 3 m length, with the PVC liner secured in the pipe during the concrete casting. The PVC liner welding required trained and certified personnel to apply and complete the installation including quality control. Each joint weld was tested for leaks and durability.
Following the pipe installation, Controlled Density Fill (CDF) was used as backfill material for the spring line of the pipes. To control the CDF placement, bulkheads were built at the end of the pipe run. Once the CDF was cured and granular backfill completed, the installed 30 meters of shoring was removed and jumped ahead of the pipe, allowing for the subsequent 60 m of excavation and pipe installation to commence. This sequence was completed for a total of 170 meters of pipe installation.
Construction also included the supply and installation of an electrical kiosk, antenna pole and related electrical works such as the tie-in of the flow transducers to the kiosk. Which also required the conduit installation for BC Hydro and associated coordination with BC Hydro to complete power service and inspection of works.
As required by the project, BEL was to maintain access to the local businesses during the pipe installation. This involved the construction and maintenance of temporary driveways to Panorama Place and 15350 153a Street and tree removal and hardscape removals as needed. Following the completion of the pipe installation, the road on 153a Street was completely reconstructed including all curb and gutter, asphalt, landscape, and the installation of a modular concrete block retaining wall on the 15350 56 Avenue property.
Our team installed 1830mm diameter casings with 25mm wall thickness, up to 33m long, through 18m of overburden into 340mPa granite rock. A 7m deep rock socket was completed below the casing tip. Due to the undulating bedrock profile, with grade differences of 2.2m across the casing diameter, pipe piles were fabricated on-site with cutting teeth and passed to a 160-ton crane on the work platform. The pier piles’ cut-off elevation was 3m below low water, necessitating a specially designed reinforcing cage suspension bracket to support splicing and concrete pouring. All concrete used was 45 mPa, tremie poured.
To excavate overburden, we employed a Leffer LKG1-180 Spherical grab, directly disposing of material into trucks. For seating the steel casing into bedrock and completing the 7m deep sockets, we utilized a Wirth PBA 612 Pile Top drill with a reverse-flood drilling system, recycling water through containment tanks.
The project’s primary challenge was maintaining installation accuracy, critical due to the pier substructure’s method. We achieved precision with all piles installed within 35mm of design position and 0.5 degrees of vertical. The rest pier, intermediate pier, and east abutment were supported by 1220mm diameter piles drilled through overburden, seated into bedrock, and completed with 3-5m rock sockets, reinforced and tremie concreted as specified.
Utilizing a Nissha RT150 rotator and Down-hole Hammer reverse-circulation drilling system, we managed tailings through a closed loop, ensuring clean and efficient operations. Each pile was flushed with fresh water and inspected via video to meet strict quality standards.
This project exemplified CDI’s ability to deliver high-quality, precise construction in challenging conditions. Our innovative methods and dedication to excellence ensured the successful completion of the Bascule pier, reinforcing our reputation as a leading specialty foundation contractor.
NorLand partnered with BAUER Foundations Canada to install a temporary secant pile wall along the former False Creek shoreline, with piles ranging from 9.6 to 15.7m, embedded 2m into bedrock. Additional shotcreting and value-engineered tie-back anchors were used to reduce costs and time.
The excavation site presented challenges due to the fine silt and clay of the former creek bed. NorLand addressed these by utilizing swamp pads for tie-back installation and shotcreting areas with shallow bedrock elevations to achieve cost savings.
NorLand’s contributions to this high-profile development improved project efficiency and reduced costs, helping to shape a key hub in Vancouver’s future transportation and commercial landscape.