Articles
Heating up the RAP: Climate change and cost savings driving pavement re-use
March 19, 2020 Saul ChernosMotorists who experience a sense of deja-vu while driving along North America’s expansive roadways might not necessarily be daydreaming behind the wheel. Over the last few years, road builders across Canada and the U.S. have increasingly embraced RAP, or reclaimed…
In the crosshairs: From carbon sinks to energy-efficient materials, MTO targets climate change
March 18, 2020 Saul ChernosWith a highway network stretching 17,000 kilometres, 2,850 bridges, 29 airports, 11 ferry services and numerous other assets to manage, the Ontario Ministry of Transportation is on the front lines when it comes to mitigating the effects of climate change.…
Carrying out construction work in Québec: What you should know
March 17, 2020 Gabriel Lefebvre, Audrey Alarie and Dayeon MinWith far different regulations than most other Canadian provinces, Québec presents a unique challenge for contractors from other jurisdictions looking to take on work in the province. While it is by no means exhaustive, this article aims to summarize the…
The impact of pandemic on construction’s supply chain: A new risk profile
March 4, 2020 David BowcottThere are many risks in today’s dynamic construction economy. Companies deal with issues related to contractual risk allocation, unforeseen ground conditions, faulty workmanship, errors in design and the impacts of extreme weather — just to name a few. Then, just…
Demolition of eight-storey Toronto hospital building sets stage for multibillion-dollar SickKids expansion
February 24, 2020 by David KennedyAn era ended at the Hospital for Sick Children last summer as demolition crews carefully tore down a distinctive teal pedestrian bridge that had extended over Elizabeth Street in downtown Toronto for a quarter century. A mobile crane hoisted the…
Sucking it up: Traditionalists coming around to opportunity in vacuum excavators
February 24, 2020 Nate HendleyThere are new machines, new technologies and, equally importantly, a new level of acceptance in construction circles when it comes to vacuum excavators. Truck- or trailer-mounted vacuum excavators blast high-pressure water or air through pipes into the ground to break…
From the editor… A disconcerting lack of vision
February 21, 2020 by David KennedyWhen engineers in Toronto were laying out plans for the Prince Edward Viaduct in the early 1910s, the subway line that would eventually carry trains along the lower deck of the bridge was little more than a far-flung possibility. For…
Innovative features extend paving season in colder markets, increase operator comfort and safety
February 21, 2020 Megan HoeglerIn Canada, the old saying goes, there are two seasons: winter and construction. While the cooler temperatures and frozen ground bring some projects to a halt, innovative new technology and upgrades to large-scale asphalt pavers are extending paving season in…
Making use of technology for safer job sites
February 20, 2020 Jacob StollerHigh tech safety devices and software can’t eliminate construction risks, but they can make them more visible
Addressing risk allocation with collaboration
February 20, 2020 David BowcottFor those of you who aren’t familiar with the World Economic Forum (WEF) I highly recommend you get to know them. It is made up of a group of forward-thinking government and corporate members striving to continuously improve the state…
Spoliation and the risk of remediation
February 19, 2020 Grant Mayovsky and Siobhan SmallSpoliation is a defense raised in litigation when a plaintiff has intentionally destroyed evidence, depriving the defendant of support for its position. In general, destruction of evidence alone does not establish spoliation. The plaintiff must have intended to affect the…
Top 10 construction trends to focus on in 2020
December 18, 2019 On-Site StaffCanadian contractors enter 2020 with most experts optimistic about their prospects. Still, changes in technology, political divisions and the sheer scale of many new building projects will present both opportunities and challenges. These are the top trends the Canadian…
2020 Construction Forecast: Positive momentum to continue, but industry needs to embrace change
December 18, 2019 David KennedyA steady stream of building projects in most regions of Canada, and particularly within its big urban centres, have kept the construction industry busy through the second half of 2019. Though concerns about how long growth can continue persist, much…
Is tech forcing the built world to evolve its procurement models?
December 17, 2019 David BowcottUnlike the manufacturing industry, where environments can be tightly controlled and products are often carbon copies of one another, construction projects will likely always face a degree of uncertainty. Advancing technology and enhanced computing power, however, are helping to usher…
Supreme Court of Canada set to revisit the duty of honest performance of contracts
December 16, 2019 Sonny IngramIn 2014, the Supreme Court of Canada released its decision in Bhasin v. Hrynew, which recognized a new duty that applies to all contracts: a duty of honest performance, requiring parties to be honest with each other in relation to…
From the editor… Megaprojects test industry’s capacity to deliver
December 14, 2019 by David KennedyFew and far between just a few years ago, multibillion-dollar infrastructure projects have become the norm in Ontario. With planning now underway for four new or extended transit lines in the Toronto area, Canada’s most populous province will be measuring…
The enterprise dashboard challenge in the era of Industry 4.0
December 13, 2019 Jacob StollerThe frequent portrayal of contractors as technological laggards is in some respects unfair. While it’s true that construction has fallen behind other industries in using technology to manage the enterprise, it’s also more difficult to integrate data in construction than…
Diesel demand: On-Site’s 2020 work truck report
December 12, 2019 Mario CywinskiOnce exclusive to heavy-duty pick-ups, truck brands are now adding diesel engines to their light-duty trucks. While FCA added one to its Ram 1500 a few years ago, it’s now introducing a new version on its 2020 truck. General Motors…
Concrete Awards showcase diverse building projects across the province
December 10, 2019 by Megan HoeglerThe Concrete Awards celebrate the efforts of suppliers, designers, contractors and owners in Ontario. Held during the Buildings Show at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, this year’s winners were diverse, representing building projects from transit stations to modern condo complexes.…
Staying out of the shop: Big data, vocational trucks and the drive toward predictive maintenance
October 10, 2019 David KennedyUptime matters, particularly when it comes to work trucks. Whether it’s a five-person crew waiting on an aggregate delivery, or an entire job site paralyzed by a concrete mixer stalled in an inopportune spot, delays are always costly. Until now,…