INNOVATION July-August 2013

. 2013 PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS

2012

Tunnel Excavation for Forest Kerr Hydroelectric Project The Forrest Kerr Project is a green energy run-of-river 195 MW hydroelectric project located approximately 1,000 km northwest of Vancouver, BC. Procon Mining & Tunnelling completed the excavation of over 6,900 m of tunnels including a large 65,000 m 3 underground powerhouse and over 3,000 m of 9.6 m wide by 9.8 m high power tunnel. Procon experimented with Dyno Nobel’s Digishot electronic detonators over the more traditional non-electric

detonators. Through reduced scaling time, Procon was able to realize a decrease in cycle. The owner also gained a much smoother tunnel wall. Drilling was accomplished by Procon’s two tunnel drilling jumbos, an Atlas Copco XE3 and a WE3, both capable of computerized drill pattern controls. The excavation works were completed ahead of schedule, and with a cost savings to the owner.

Owner: AltaGas. Engineering Firm: Hatch. Underground excavation works contractor: Procon Mining & Tunelling (Daniel Meier, P.Eng.)

Patricia Bay Maritime Helicopter Squadron Facility New CH148 Cyclone helicopters are destined for 443 Squadron to replace the existing aging fleet of Sea King maritime helicopters. This project will consolidate all 443 Maritime Helicopter Squadron opera- tions into one facility constructed at Victoria International Airport (YYJ). The facility is designed to meet airfield zoning regulations and post-disaster operational standards. The new facility will consist of an operations and maintenance hangar providing storage for five aircraft (in folded-wing configuration), two spread-wing maintenance bays, an interior spread-wing wash and maintenance bay, and associated maintenance shops. In addition to administrative and personnel support facilities, the new hangar will provide warehousing, shop and work space for the In-Service Support Contractor (ISSC). Exterior provisions include ramp areas, taxiway, rinse bay, and refuelling area in addition to access roadways, and a parking lot. Owner: Department of National Defence. Design: Stantec Consulting. Contractor: Knappett Projects.

Ponderosa Highway 97 Improvements Aplin & Martin provided civil engineering services for the access improvements required to support the Ponderosa development in Peachland, BC. The most significant work included extension of the municipal road network to improve connectivity, circulation, and public safety by combining two uncontrolled T-intersections in the heart of the community into one fully functional signalized intersection. Two large retaining walls were required to accommodate the municipal road extension and highway widening. Given the magnitude of the retaining walls and the prominent location of the new intersection, Aplin & Martin ensured that the design provided an aesthetic gateway to the community. The design and construction of the retaining walls was complicated by the steep slope and existing roads and residences above the highway, requiring that the walls be built from the top-down using soil anchors and shotcrete. Client: Treegroup Developments. Lead consultant (civil): Aplin & Martin Consultants (Cory Barker, P.Eng.)

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