INNOVATION May-June 2017

2016 | ❖

2017 Project Highlights

Snow nets improve national park highway safety

design, which included 1,937 metres of Geobrugg snow nets in 39 separate rows. Three debris-flow barriers were used in terrain too incised for traditional snow nets. All rows for two avalanche paths were installed in 2016, and the third path is scheduled to be completed in 2017. APEGBC members, Alpine Solutions Avalanche Services: Brian Gould, P.Eng., Cam Campbell. Eng.L.; BAT Construction Ltd: Jenna Zdunich, P.Eng.; Prime Consultant: McElhanney Consulting Services Ltd.

Every year, numerous snow avalanches threaten the Trans-Canada Highway in BC’s Glacier National Park. A combination of snow sheds, earthworks, and artillery-based avalanche control has effectively protected highway travelers since the highway opened in 1962. In order to improve highway reliability, Parks Canada commissioned what is, to date, the western hemisphere’s largest snow-net project to permanently stabilize the snowpack in three problematic avalanche paths at Cougar Corner #6, #7, and #8. Alpine Solutions Avalanche Services completed the Every year, students from across the globe design and build unique single- seater open-wheel race cars for an international competition held by the Society of Automotive Engineers, at Michigan International Raceway, in Brooklynn, Michigan. Last year, the University of Victoria’s Formula Motorsport team raced their car to a 27 th -place finish, making them the best team in Western Canada and second overall out of Canadian teams. The

Vehicle places 27th in international motorsport race

driver of the car is the current team leader, Wilson Hay, a mechanical engineering student. The car was built by a diverse group of undergraduates studying engineering and computer science. Team alumni have gone on to successful careers in the transportation industry. APEGBC member: Dr. Stephanie Willerth, P.Eng.

Upgrades improve station capacity and accessibility

expressive curvilinear trusses over the existing guideway. These minimize and strategically position the support columns, allowing unimpeded pedestrian flow to the floor levels below. APEGBC members, Translink: Mark Minson, P.Eng., Jennifer MacLean, P.Eng.; Fast + Epp (structural consultant): Duane Palibroda, P.Eng., Struct.Eng., Brian Seo, P. Eng.; AES Engineering (electrical consultant): Ahmet Ulker, P.Eng., Phil O’Neill, P.Eng., Amrit Mahal, EIT; The AME Consulting Group (mechanical consultant): Zlatko Puljic, P.Eng., Jerry Chung, EIT, Eric Cresswell, EIT; MMM Group (civil consultant): Laurel Richl, P.Eng., Floris Van Weelderen, P.Eng.

Translink is upgrading and expanding the Metrotown Skytrain Station and Bus Exchange, in Burnaby, BC, to improve capacity and accessibility, and address the surrounding community’s needs. The station is TransLink’s second- busiest SkyTrain station, with more than 50,000 commuters passing through it daily. It is also one of the original Expo Line stations, having opened in 1986. The project includes three new fare- gate entries, a passerelle centered within the station, and 60-metre expansions at the station’s east and west ends. The expansions feature

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