Topic
Infrastructure
B.C. shortlists three construction teams for $2.8B Broadway subway extension project
June 27, 2019 by David KennedyVANCOUVER—Three construction teams remain in the running for the contract to build Vancouver’s six-station Broadway subway extension project. The B.C. government released its shortlist for the $2.8 billion project June 25, about two months after closing the request for qualifications…
11 months, 60,000 cubic metres of rock later, Site C dam crews breakthrough on first of two diversion tunnels
June 27, 2019 by David KennedyFORT ST. JOHN, B.C.—After nearly a year of work with roadheaders chewing through about 60,000 cubic metres of rock, tunnelling crews at B.C.’s Site C dam project are seeing daylight. BC Hydro announced June 24 that excavation crews working on…
Infrastructure bank gives Via Rail $55M for work on still-uncertain multibillion-dollar project
June 25, 2019 Jordan Press, The Canadian PressOTTAWA—Via Rail is getting $71 million in federal cash — some through Transport Canada and some from an infrastructure financing agency — to tackle the last few details needed to make the case that its high-frequency rail proposal should get…
Ottawa’s new prompt payment rules become law, firming up pay schedule for federal construction jobs
June 24, 2019 by David KennedyThe rules are expected to benefit both general contractors and subcontractors, which can face cash flow problems if they aren’t paid quickly enough for work on major projects
C-69, federal bill overhauling environmental approval process for major construction jobs, clears final hurdle
June 21, 2019 Mia Rabson, The Canadian PressThe highly controversial bill, along with another piece of legislation barring oil tankers from B.C.’s northern coast, is poised to become law after gaining the Senate’s stamp of approval
Ontario revives possibility of building major new highway on northwest end of Greater Toronto Area
June 20, 2019 by David KennedyBRAMPTON, Ont.—Ontario’s Progressive Conservatives have pulled a major Toronto-area highway project quashed by the previous Liberal government from the dustbin, relaunching an environmental assessment (EA) into the potential Greater Toronto Area West Highway Corridor. Jeff Yurek, Ontario’s minister of Transportation,…
Trans Mountain pipeline expansion gets second green light from Ottawa
June 19, 2019 Mia Rabson, The Canadian PressThe federal Liberals pitched the divisive pipeline project as a compromise between the environment and the economy
Graham-led consortium picked to build rail overpass, elevated guideway in busy Toronto neighbourhood
June 18, 2019 by David KennedyTORONTO—A construction team led by Graham Group Ltd. has been tapped as the preferred proponent for the Davenport Diamond Rail Grade Separation project, a major rail realignment job on the west end of Toronto. Provincial government agencies Infrastructure Ontario and…
Runway, taxiway upgrades to begin at Hamilton, Ont. airport as feds chip in to help fund $38.9M project
June 16, 2019 On-Site StaffHAMILTON, Ont.—A significant rehabilitation project at the John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport is set for liftoff. The federal government announced an $18.5 million contribution June 14 to help fund the infrastructure project that’s expected to approximately 350 construction jobs…
NEB approves $453M Manitoba-Minnesota Transmission Project, clearing way for construction
June 14, 2019 On-Site StaffOTTAWA—The National Energy Board has signed off on a major power project that will carry electricity generated at Manitoba’s array of hydro plants to neighbouring Minnesota. The federal regulator approved plans for the $453 million Manitoba-Minnesota Transmission Project June 14…
Ottawa opens funding spigot to help pay for $206.7M Toronto storm sewer system
June 13, 2019 On-Site StaffTORONTO—A water infrastructure project aimed at reducing the risk of basement flooding in west Toronto is moving ahead with $73.2 million in backing from the federal government. The stormwater project, centred roughly at Rogers and Caledonia Roads on the west…
Staying on top: Attracting and retaining talent has never been tougher – or more integral to success
June 12, 2019 Saul ChernosConstruction activity continues to fire on all cylinders in Canadian urban centres and is faring well in most other areas of the country. Canada’s Top Contractors are hitting fresh heights as well, but the success masks a steep challenge for…
Ontario construction industry prepares for new prompt payment, adjudication rules expected to bring ‘profound’ change
June 11, 2019 David KennedyTORONTO—Contractors, subcontractors, owners, construction lawyers and a wide range of other stakeholders in Ontario’s construction industry have four final months to prepare for one of the most significant changes to the province’s building industry in years. After a long series…
It’s not easy going green: For contractors, embracing the sustainable building ‘paradigm shift’ isn’t optional
June 10, 2019 David KennedyWith exposed concrete on all sides and piping from mechanical systems overhead, a compact drilling rig bores slowly into the ground beneath the Arthur Meighen Building in Toronto. The rig takes about a day to drill a 13-centimetre (five-inch) borehole…
Ontario infrastructure needs more funding from feds, province for economy to maintain momentum: report
June 7, 2019 On-Site StaffVAUGHAN, Ont.—About a year into its tenure, the Ontario Progressive Conservative government under Premier Doug Ford has not been shy about declaring the province “open for business.” The sentiment may be a positive one from an economic standpoint, but according…
SNC-Lavalin delays decision on whether to opt for judge or jury in corruption trial until June 28
June 7, 2019 Christopher Reynolds, The Canadian PressMONTREAL—SNC-Lavalin Group Inc. is pushing back its decision on whether to opt for a trial by jury or by judge alone in a corruption case that has tripped up the engineering giant and ensnared it in a political controversy for…
Documents show feds pushing Infrastructure Bank to back major Via Rail construction project
June 7, 2019 Jordan Press, The Canadian PressOTTAWA—Federal officials are pushing the Canadian Infrastructure Bank to back Via Rail’s high-frequency rail project, according to documents tabled in the House of Commons. The response to a written question from New Democrat Robert Aubin details the eight times between…
Edmonton shortlists three construction teams for $2.6B Valley Line West LRT
June 6, 2019 by David KennedyEDMONTON—The procurement battle for one of the largest transit infrastructure projects in the country is down to three consortia. The City of Edmonton released a three-team shortlist for the approximately $2.6 billion Valley Line West LRT project June 5. The…
SNC-Lavalin encouraged to overhaul business model, sell off Canadian construction operations
June 5, 2019 by David KennedyFaced with steep legal challenges, one financial analyst says the company should divest its Infrastructure unit and refocus entirely on engineering and other services
Ottawa, Quebec announce $500M for reconstruction of Canada’s longest highway tunnel
June 4, 2019 Lia Levesque, The Canadian PressMONTREAL—The federal and Quebec governments have announced a $500-million reconstruction project for Canada’s longest highway tunnel — the Louis-Hippolyte-La Fontaine Tunnel linking Montreal to its southern suburbs. “We’re bringing Montreal infrastructure into the 21st century,” said federal Infrastructure Minister Francois-Philippe…