Heavy Civil - Norland Limited

Holdom Overpass

6 March 20256 March 2025
by Karen Lawrence

Scope of Work

The scope of work includes the design and construction of a new four-lane overpass that will extend Holdom Avenue south across Still Creek and the CN rail corridor, connecting to Douglas Road in Burnaby. The project also involves the construction of a new bridge crossing Sunken Engine Creek, building a new pump station, the extension of Goring Street to Kingsland Drive, intersection upgrades, as well as habitat enhancements and restorations. Construction started in late 2024, with anticipated completion in 2027.

Challenges & Solutions

The Holdom Overpass Project requires the close coordination of many stakeholders, including the port authority, City of Burnaby and and CN. NorLand’s experienced BEL Contracting division is committed to working closely with all parties involved to ensure the project is delivered within the set timeline and budget.

Overall Impact

In addition to enhancing transportation efficiency and trade capacity via the North Shore terminals at the Port of Vancouver, the Holdom Overpass Project will increase safety and connections for the Burnaby community. Both pedestrians and drivers will benefit from the improved traffic flow, emergency response, and public space. As the project progresses, NorLand’s BEL Contracting division continues to demonstrate its role in shaping and improving transportation infrastructure in the Lower Mainland.

Rendering provided by VFPA

Nanaimo Fire Station Civil Works

8 January 20258 January 2025
by Karen Lawrence

Scope of Work:

All site works for the new fire hall included water, storm and sanitary utilities, building excavation, detailed footing excavation, trenching for mechanical and electrical, curb prep, sidewalk prep, and road gravels.

Challenges & Solutions:

The small footprint of the site made it a challenge working alongside numerous different subtrades. The existing fire station was located on the same property and had to remain in place throughout construction until the new building was ready for handover. Copcan completed all the site prep and utility work adjacent to the existing building while other trades were onsite such as pile drivers, electrical, mechanical and carpentry trades. Kinetic Construction, the general contractor, worked closely with Copcan’s superintendent to ensure effected communication and planning in advance so that trades were not tripping over each other.

Overall Impact:

Construction began in the fall of 2020 and the project was completed in April of 2023. All the civil works was completed on time and on budget. Very few changes/claims arose throughout construction as the design, general contracting and civil teams all worked together quite effectively mitigating challenges and identifying possible concerns ahead of time.

Western Canada Marine Response Corporation (WCMRC)

31 July 202428 October 2024
by Kaelan

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.

South Surrey Interceptor No. 2

12 July 202428 October 2024
by Karen Lawrence

Scope of Work

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.

Railcar Unloading Improvements

17 June 20241 August 2024
by Ellie Elmi

Petroleum Product Containment Upgrades

17 June 20241 August 2024
by Ellie Elmi

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.