British Columbia - Norland Limited

The Wedge

17 May 202428 October 2024
by Kaelan

Scope of Work

WGC’s involvement in The Wedge project spanned multiple scopes of work, including excavation, shoring, and structural shotcrete. The excavation process, which began in 2020 and lasted approximately 12 months, required urban blasting to manage the site’s challenging conditions, such as excessive groundwater and soft marine blue clay. H piles were used in the shoring system to achieve the necessary excavation depth and maximize underground parking. Following the completion of the shoring process, WGC transitioned to structural shotcrete, utilizing this innovative method for walls and columns, which was a departure from traditional forming methods. Notably, WGC is the only NorLand business unit specializing in structural shotcrete, showcasing its unique expertise in this field.

Challenges & Solutions

With the Wedge Building being located in the heart of Victoria, there are many logistical challenges to overcome, one of which is often the lack of site access. Due to the excavation depth, no site entrance road was available, requiring all materials to be craned in and out of the site. Fortunately, M.R. Cranes provided excellent assistance in this challenge. Another challenge involved in the downtown setting is safe blasting procedures, WGC excels at our guarding and covering procedures to always ensure public and worker safety. A continuing challenge in the downtown Victoria region is the presence of soft marine clay, due to the proximity to the ocean and depth of excavation much of this material and groundwater was encountered, creating less than ideal working conditions but as usual, the workers endured and completed this project on time once again.

Aura Apartments

10 May 202411 June 2024
by Kaelan

Scope of work

The majority of the Aura project is blasting as two large mounds of rock mounds with a central valley encompass the site. An older road stabilization lock block wall spans the valley which requires Shotcrete Shoring to support the wall as the excavation extends below the base of the wall. The unstable nature of the local rock formations requires rock fall mesh to ensure worker safety while foundation works occur

Challenges

Located in a small residential area, road access to the Aura proved to be quite a challenge. Western Grater and the other contractors on site worked closely with the neighbours to minimize the negative impact on the neighbourhood. Blast mats were used to prevent fly rock and to mitigate any potential damage to surrounding homes and structures.

Langshire Blasting

6 May 202413 August 2024
by Kaelan

Scope of work

The scope of work on the Langshire project was mainly blasting but due to local conditions WGC also drilled and installed rock bolting and some shotcrete to secure loose rock and unstable geological formations.

Challenges

The Westshore Parkway in Langford hosts many other neighbouring commercial buildings including some in active construction. Large-scale blasting in semi-urban conditions produces many challenges for the team as there are many potential hazards to watch for, including many construction workers and their equipment in the blasting area. Great care was taken to ensure open communication with surrounding trades to make sure everyone goes home at the day safe and happy every day.

Center Mountain Quarry

6 May 20246 May 2024
by Kaelan

Scope of work

Western Grater Maintains a fleet of Epiroc Flexiroc Hydraulic rock drills, which are utilized to drill 4” diameter holes ranging from 25’ to 50’ deep. Blast sizes vary a fair amount ranging from 80 to 300 holes per blast. Due to the size of the blasts, covering the shot with blast matts is not feasible therefore great care is taken while loading to ensure all rock remains in the blasting area. The blasted rock is then transported with excavators and rock trucks from the blast area to the crusher where it is crushed to various sizes for various uses.

Challenges

As a rock quarry Center Mountain is governed by the Ministry of Mines rather than WorkSafe BC as most of our other blasting operations are. WGC has offered extensive training to our most qualified blasters to obtain their Mines Blasting Certification and to maintain stringent safety procedures for loading and guarding. Western Grater holds one of the highest safety records in the business.

Spencer Block

10 April 202428 October 2024
by Kaelan

Scope of work

This Project consisted of multiple scopes of work for Western Grater including blasting, shotcrete shoring, and tie-back anchors. The shotcrete shoring consists of welded wire mesh and rebar to reinforce the shotcrete creating a stable vertical wall allowing developers to maximize land utilization. Tie-back anchors are drilled and grouted to further support the shotcrete wall system. Western Grater utilizes a hollow anchor bar system which greatly improves efficiency over traditional drilling methods.

Blasting works occurred over a 3-4 month period with a total rock volume of over 8900 cubic meters. Due to the extremely close proximity of the neighbouring heritage building, a “line drilling” method was used to ensure an accurate rock break at desired property line.

Challenges

As with most blasting operations in urban settings, much care must be taken to ensure the safety of all other workers and the general public, as well as the presence of older structures from the early 20th century that the city of Victoria is famous for. On the Spencer Block project there is an adjacent brick building built in 1908 by Sam Kee Laundry, the utmost care was taken to ensure no damage was sustained and the impact to the residents was kept to a minimum. Engineers are also involved in the monitoring of neighbouring structures to ensure all excavation perimeters remain stable and safe.

Another major challenge on this project was the local ground conditions. Due to poor environmental practices in the early 20th century, large areas of the job site contained contaminated soil at depth. The presence of this contamination creates challenges for all contractors involved, such as removal of contamination, which comes with great cost to the client and delineation of materials for the excavation contractor. These conditions also create some hurdles for WGC as the ground conditions were not conducive to bonding anchors to soils. WGC employed the use of a “grout Swivel” which allows us to drill anchors in with continuous grout flow throughout the drilling process as opposed to the traditional method of drilling with air and grouting post installation. The use of this method provided great success upon its application.

Fairview Terminal Expansion

10 September 202320 September 2024
by main_admin

Scope of Work

BEL Contracting played a pivotal role in various aspects of the project, managing all landside scope including the expansion of the container stacking yard and new container storage yard.

Land Reclamation and Construction: BEL was responsible for the reclamation of 3 hectares of land at the north end of the terminal and expanding the container stacking yard. They executed massive excavation tasks and transformed the material into suitable fill for the new container yard.
Infrastructure and Utilities: The team extended its skills to construct essential utilities, including electrical setups, to enhance the terminal’s operational efficiency. This also ensures the terminal is ready for future technological upgrades, offering long-term value.
Traffic Management: The project also saw the addition of 70,000 m2 of road structure and paving to handle port traffic efficiently, ensuring smooth logistical flow within the facility. This is a testament to BEL’s comprehensive capacity for civil construction.
Specialized Construction: Among the project’s challenges was the construction of a unique flow collector chamber. This chamber required intricate planning to connect existing culverts to a newly installed box culvert. The operation had to be meticulously coordinated with tidal patterns and fluctuating weather conditions, showcasing BEL’s exceptional ability to handle complex engineering requirements.
Environmental and Safety Measures: Given the sensitive location near Prince Rupert Bay, BEL adhered to strict environmental regulations and safety protocols. Special care was taken during blasting activities conducted near existing critical infrastructure to ensure both environmental and operational safety.
Material Movement and Construction Methods: The project utilized various construction methods, including hydraulic drills for rock borrowing and cast-in-place techniques for manholes and foundation elements due to specific port loading requirements. Additionally, conveyors were used to move processed rock across the terminal’s main road and CN Rail mainline.
Operational Continuity: One of the remarkable aspects of this project was that it was accomplished without disrupting the existing port facility’s operations. The project’s tight schedule also required work to continue despite extreme weather conditions typical of the North Pacific Coast.

Through expert planning and execution, BEL Contracting proved its expertise in handling large-scale, environmentally sensitive, and operationally complex projects. Their role in the Fairview Phase II North project not only extended the terminal’s capacity but also set a new benchmark for construction projects in the maritime industry.

YVR North RESA 26R Earthworks & Utilities

10 September 202328 October 2024
by main_admin

Scope of Work

BEL Contracting’s role in the project spanned a range of activities:

Conducting major earthwork operations, BEL executed the large-scale excavation and placement of gravel to fortify the area. Special techniques were used to manage the low-lying location’s water levels effectively, enabling seamless construction.
The runway’s active taxiway surfaces were widened during scheduled nightly closures. This involved removing old materials and installing new compacted base gravels and drainage systems.
BEL successfully coordinated and installed new airfield lighting, adhering to stringent safety protocols and schedules to minimize disruption to ongoing airport operations.
A focus on environmental sustainability was maintained throughout, particularly given the project’s proximity to the Fraser River. Measures were taken to ensure that no environmental guidelines were breached.
The project required intricate coordination with YVR’s various subcontractors and operational teams. This was managed effectively through daily update and coordination meetings, ensuring everyone was aligned on construction progress and safety protocols.

The RESA project served as a testament to BEL Contracting’s capability to manage multifaceted, safety-critical construction projects. Through their careful planning and execution, BEL helped elevate the standards for airport construction while ensuring the project was completed within the set timeframe and environmental guidelines.

Westshore Potash Export Project

10 September 202328 October 2024
by main_admin

Scope of Work

The contract awarded to BEL Contracting included a wide range of activities:

Removal and disposal of existing coal and sand mix spoil within the work area, including underground utilities such as pile spray mains, water mains, coal wastewater, and dust suppression pipes. This also encompassed the removal of existing underground electrical duct banks and direct-bury cables.
The project involved the relocation and modification of an existing pipe bridge along with its associated mechanical and structural components.
BEL Contracting also managed the supply and installation of a new coal wastewater gravity pipeline, complete with piled foundations, support, and all associated piping connections. Furthermore, new cast-in-place drainage systems like the A-West drainage ditch and the Western Slurry Screening Facility overflow pond trench drain were installed.
Additional work included the supply and installation of new lock block and precast concrete drainage sumps. BEL Contracting was also responsible for setting up power, communication, and control systems for the SW Loop Road Ditch Sump and the NE Ditch Sump.

The project showcased BEL Contracting’s proficiency in handling intricate civil works, all while ensuring the safe and efficient execution of tasks. By successfully completing this phase, BEL Contracting has made a significant contribution to the region’s export capabilities, supporting both current coal exports and future potash facilities.

South Surrey Interceptor No. 2

10 September 202328 October 2024
by main_admin

Scope of Services

The project kicked off with BEL Contracting implementing several facilitating measures, which included the construction of temporary driveways for Panorama Place and the property at 15350 153a Street. Notably, these initial measures also involved the removal of trees and other hardscapes to clear the way for mainline construction. Electrical installations were another crucial aspect of the project’s scope. A dedicated electrical kiosk was set up, along with an antenna pole, both of which were intricately tied in with flow transducers. This level of detail was extended to the installation of conduits for BC Hydro, requiring rigorous coordination to ensure uninterrupted power services and to meet regulatory inspection criteria.

Post-construction restoration was another significant element of the project. Key milestones were achieved in terms of reinstating property access, predominantly focusing on 153a Street and the property at 15350 56 Avenue. Activities in this phase included road repaving, construction of curbs and gutters, line painting, and installation of road signage. At the 15350 56 Avenue property, a modular concrete block retaining wall was erected. Furthermore, landscape restoration work was performed across various sections of the project area, leaving a positive visual impact on the community.

Before declaring the project complete, BEL Contracting undertook the vital task of compiling an exhaustive asset inventory, which was supplemented by operational manuals and detailed technical data. This ensures that future maintenance and operational tasks can be carried out efficiently. To validate the robustness of the new installations, rigorous testing and commissioning processes were employed, guaranteeing that all components either met or exceeded the regulatory and operational standards.

Beyond the engineering and construction aspects, a strong emphasis was placed on risk management to ensure the safety and well-being of everyone involved. This multifaceted project was not merely aimed at improving the city’s sewer system, It was also designed to manage and mitigate a variety of construction risks, ensuring the safety and well-being of all involved.

Royal Columbian Hospital Redevelopment

22 August 202325 October 2024
by Kaelan

Scope of Work

In Phase 2 of this transformative venture, NorLand’s collaboration with EllisDon unfolds through a meticulously planned choreography of construction, demolition, and renovation. Central to this movement is the construction of a new Acute Care Tower, poised to redefine medical care standards. This dynamic shift necessitates the removal of several existing structures, underlining a commitment to embracing change for the greater good.

NorLand’s engagement comprises a series of intricately interwoven responsibilities, each contributing to the realization of this visionary healthcare haven. The rhythm of transformation starts with the graceful deconstruction of the Sherbrooke Centre, clearing the path for a new era.

Site servicing becomes the foundation of seamless operations within the upcoming facilities, weaving the unseen threads that ensure efficient functionality. Across a sprawling expanse, loading bays and parking areas take shape, interspersed with the sturdy embrace of retaining walls that define both space and safety.

Below the surface, excavation becomes an orchestrated ballet, a symphony of soil movement in preparation for the Acute Care Tower’s rise. The delicate dance of shoring extends over vast square footage, offering both structural support and a promise of the towering structure yet to come.

In a poignant note of care, the project encompasses a seismic upgrade of the existing mechanical room. Micropiles and expanded footings are installed within an active facility, symbolizing the preservation of the past within the canvas of progress.

Challenges

Amidst this grand transformation, challenges emerge as milestones on the journey to excellence. The seamless coordination of demolition, excavation, and construction is a symphony requiring precision. Adhering to schedules while preserving safety and quality necessitates a harmonious blend of expertise and dedication.

Excavating while demolition and civil work are underway demands a delicate balance of resources and focus. Moving 180,000 cubic yards of soil and erecting over 54,000 square feet of shoring demands a symphony of logistics and teamwork, carried out amidst the bustling activity of a healthcare facility.

Navigating the intricacies of a seismic upgrade within an active mechanical room demands surgical precision, underlining the commitment to both progress and preservation. Each challenge encountered serves as an opportunity for innovation, problem-solving, and the elevation of expertise.

As the Royal Columbian Hospital Redevelopment Project marches forward, NorLand’s partnership with EllisDon embodies a harmonious collaboration, each note resonating with dedication and a shared vision. Challenges are embraced as catalysts for ingenuity, propelling the symphony of transformation toward a crescendo of excellence.