Innovation May-June 2023

ANNACIS ISLAND WWTP OUTFALL DIFFUSER PIPE INSTALLATION

The project involves the installation of new outfall diffuser pipes in the Fraser River near the Annacis Island Wastewater Treatment Plant. Ruskin Construction Ltd. was hired to install the diffuser pipes and they in turn hired Allnorth Consultants Ltd. to do the required engineering. The project, which began in March 2021, involves lowering two 500-ton diffuser pipes, which are 130-m long and 2.5 m in diameter, into trenches at the bottom of the Fraser River under 19 m of water. The engineering solution involves a large overhead support structure to support the pipe along with 11, 25-ton winches to lower the pipe into place. The support structure also includes systems to manipulate the pipe to adjust it vertically, longitudinally, laterally and along its axis to allow it to be bolted to the outfall riser. The two diffuser pipes were lowered into place successfully in November 2022 and January 2023. Participants: Don Williams, P.Eng.

LIONS GATE BRIDGE REVERSIBLE LANE CONTROL SYSTEM REHABILITATION

Each day, 60,000 vehicles cross the Lions Gate Bridge. Since 1994, a counterflow system helped keep traffic flowing over the three-lane bridge. But as vehicle volume increased and original technology aged out, a new system was needed. The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure engaged PBX to design and implement a new Reversible Lane Control System. PBX developed and implemented a sophisticated high-availability software solution under demanding constraints. The team prepared an innovative cutover plan allowing the entire system to successfully transition from old to new in one weekend with minimal traffic impact. The updated RLCS maximizes traffic throughput—especially during peak periods—and will provide a resilient and reliable system for the next 25 years. Participants: PBX Engineering: Ian Steele, P.Eng., Fil Rossi, EIT, Fred Vey, Michael Alton, AScT, Peter Moffatt, Phil Pierce, EIT, Rupert Vey; Paladin Technologies: Radu Manor, Carl Sell; Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure: Raj Sangha, JP Hernandez.

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