Innovation Summer 2026

PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS | 2025-2026

The Guildford Way project transformed a key 2.2-km corridor in Coquitlam into a modern complete street that better balances mobility and safety while improving access to rapid transit and key community destinations. The project improved transportation safety by applying Safe System principles that reduce the likelihood and severity of collisions by better managing conflicts between modes. These design decisions were validated through before-and-after conflict GUILDFORD WAY TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENTS

international best practice. The solution integrates a roller-compacted concrete (RCC) slot barrier, diversion works, and a settling basin to withstand extreme debris impacts while minimizing maintenance and lifecycle cost. Delivered on budget in 2025, the $13.6-million system reduces individual and group risk, safeguards properties and essential infrastructure, and establishes precedent for future climate resilient geohazard mitigation across BC. Company: BGC Engineering; McElhanney Engineering Services Ltd.; Gygax Engineering Associates; WSP Participants: Patrick Nolan, P.Eng.; Kevin Mohr, P.Eng.; Katy Bosma, P.Eng.; Sharon Baragona, EIT; Beatrice Collier-Pandya, P.Eng.; Adrian Gygax, P.Eng.; Scott Cumming, P.Eng.; Alex Strouth, P.Eng.; Emily Mark, P.Eng.; Matthias Jakob, P.Geo., P.L.Eng. (in memoriam). P hoto : M c E lhanney E ngineering S ervices L td . analysis, revealing a 99% reduction in high risk and critical interactions. Conflicts were reduced through separation in space using protected micromobility lanes and intersection configurations, and separation in time through signal operations including protected left turns, right-turn overlaps, leading pedestrian and bicycle intervals, and no-right-turn-on red restrictions. Accessibility was enhanced through tactile treatments at intersections and bus stops, while island platform stops manage conflicts during passenger boarding and alighting activities. Company: ISL Engineering, DMD & Associates; City of Coquitlam Participants: ISL Engineering: Chris Boit, P.Eng.; Carl Bruggeman; Gabriel Ataide, P.Eng.; Roy Symons, P.Eng.; Scott MacDonald; Elly Ha, EIT; Omid Ebadi EIT; Borg Chan, P.Eng. City of Coquitlam: Jaime Boan, P.Eng.; Doug McLeod, P.Eng.; Thomas Thivener; Tyler Kuny, P.Eng.; Lawrence Dunks, P.L.Eng.; Maria Albitar, P.Eng.; Bernard Tung; Anagha Krishnan, EIT; Kyle Baron; Jeneva Beairsto; Olivia Stephenson. DMD: Neil Bright, P.Eng.; Bob Kellie; Butch Gesta, EIT; Alec Hope, P.Eng.; Bradley Pudritz, EIT. P hoto : ISL E ngineering

The Cold Spring Creek Debris Flow Mitigation Project protects Fairmont Hot Springs, BC, from life-threatening debris flows from Cold Spring Creek, a steep alpine creek. Following a detailed hazard and risk assessment conducted by BGC Engineering that identified intolerable life-safety risk, McElhanney led a multidisciplinary team for the Regional District of East Kootenay to design and construct Canada’s largest debris-flow mitigation basin. With no provincial standards available, the team established a made-for-BC design framework grounded in COLD SPRING CREEK DEBRIS FLOW MITIGATION

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Summer 2026 Innovation Innovation