Broadway Subway Project
The project was a major provincial initiative which involved key stakeholders such as the City of Vancouver and Metro Vancouver for utility crossings. The expansion aimed to improve accessibility and connectivity within the city and the broader Metro Vancouver region, aiming to enhance transport options, reduce travel times, and boost economic development.
Scope of Work
NorLand’s contributions to the project included excavation and shoring at the Great Northern Way and Arbutus Stations, pre-excavation civil works, utility relocations, and the installation of a lower steel support structure for the traffic deck. Key divisions such as Pacific Demolition, BelPacific, and BEL Contracting brought their specialized skills to each phase of this complex endeavour.
Challenges & Solutions
The Broadway Subway Project required extensive coordination due to the excavation within a street alignment and proximity to multiple hydro crossings and significant Metro Vancouver water lines. Managing traffic flow added complexity, leading to the installation of a steel bridge structure to minimize disruptions. Permit requirements and space limitations necessitated detailed planning and communication, and NorLand maintained its commitment to meet timelines and budgets despite these challenges.
Overall Impact
By improving accessibility for Vancouver’s residents, workers, and visitors, the Broadway Subway Project aligned with NorLand’s commitment to building enduring communities and driving economic growth. NorLand’s collaborative approach and focus on safety and excellence were vital to overcoming obstacles and ensuring the project’s success, further solidifying its role in shaping Vancouver’s transportation infrastructure.
Building Implosion
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.
Western Canada Marine Response Corporation (WCMRC)
Scope of Work
BEL Contracting managed multiple aspects of the project, including:
- Demolition: Removal of the wharf deck.
- Earthworks: Clearing, grubbing, sub-grade excavation, and backfilling.
- Concrete Repairs: Abutment beam, security gate, and lock block retaining walls.
- Marine Works: Barge-related tasks.
- Electrical Works: Installation and upgrades.
- Civil Works:
- Storm water drainage system with stormceptor and oil interceptor.
- Sewerage pump-out on float and rising main to shore.
- Onshore sewerage pump station and sewerage collection for the office building, connecting to the GVRD sewer trunk main manhole.
- Water supply to the building and floats.
- Dry firewater main installation.
- Asphalt paving for the wharf, ramp, and parking area.
- Plumbing and sewerage hookups to the office building.
- Cobble growing medium to enhance bull kelp bed growth.
Challenges & Solutions
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.
Overall Impact
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.
Great Northern Way Campus – Lot P
Scope of Work:
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.
Challenges & Solutions:
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.
Overall Impact:
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.
1021 West Hastings Street
Project Overview
- Excavation: 24,000 cubic meters
- Shotcrete: 6,000 square feet of 4” shotcrete
- Underpinning: 5,500 square feet of 8” underpinning
- Anchors: 7,000 lineal feet of tensioned anchors
- Heritage Site: Supported the front façade during excavation to preserve the heritage site
This project showcases BelPacific’s expertise in handling complex excavation tasks while maintaining the integrity of historically significant structures.