Articles
Law column: Concurrent delay remains a thorny issue
April 19, 2017 Robin DavisDespite the best intentions of all parties involved on a construction project, it should come as no surprise that delays occur. Where a delay can be clearly attributed to a single party, the appropriate remedy is relatively easy to determine.…
From the editor: More than common sense
April 19, 2017 by Corinne LyndsLean is far from the novel concept it was back in the ‘50s when Toyota first popularized it. Yet, here we are in 2017, and a new lean event, whitepaper, seminar, book, association, or video seems to pop up everyday.…
Phase 2: Checking in on the 407 Highway extension
March 16, 2017 Nate HendleyThe second half of the ambitious Highway 407 extension, known officially as the Highway 407 East Project, is well underway in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). Phase 2 of the project will see Highway 407 extended eastward from Harmony Road…
Producing quality HMA incorporating RAP
March 16, 2017 Lisa FattoriSince the 1970s, Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement (RAP) has been a proven high quality product used in the design and production of asphalt mixes. According to a 2011 report by the U.S. Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the performance of pavements containing up…
Case Study: Derry Road and CN Rail grade separation
March 16, 2017 Vireak Hinh & Jennifer TrimbleBack in 2006, the Derry Road/CN Rail Grade Separation was identified as part of the 2006 Environmental Study Report (ESR) completed for the Derry Road corridor. The report recommended that Derry Road be reconstructed from 2 lanes to 4, including…
Material risk events in P3s: Causes and potential solutions
March 16, 2017 David BowcottIn the February issue we talked about material risk events that manifested in the Canadian P3 space up to 2011 and up to 2016. In this issue, I will focus on what is causing these risk events and how we…
Garbage in, garbage out – Making sense of your data
March 16, 2017 Jacob StollerOne of the most important IT trends happening in construction right now is that of data analytics. The practice of analyzing stored company data to help make business decisions, is gaining ground in companies of all sizes. Even a contractor…
Editorial: Take care of your tools, big and small
March 16, 2017 by Corinne LyndsIt’s difficult to put an exact number on the total cost of theft to construction companies in Canada, but according to a report from Zurich Canada, it’s safe to say the amount exceeds $46 million per year in insurance claims…
Construction firms need to cultivate young leaders now
March 1, 2017 by Corinne LyndsIt’s no secret that Canada’s construction sector is facing a skills shortage. The baby boomers are retiring, and there are fewer people entering the industry. Old news, right? Well, don’t click to the next page yet. There’s another pressing matter that…
Contractors & the Law: An estimate is never “just an estimate”
February 28, 2017 Krista JohansonRisk allocation under cost-plus contracts is not always well understood by the parties who enter into them. Contractors sometimes believe they are entitled to payment for all costs incurred to perform the work, and owners sometimes believe a contractor is…
The hottest construction apps: A cautionary guide to adding business functionality in 2017
February 28, 2017 Jacob StollerWhen people ask “is there an app for that?” the odds these days are pretty good that the answer will be “yes”. Even in construction, which is not known for being on the leading edge of IT, there are apps…
Material risk events in P3s: 2011 vs. 2016
February 22, 2017 David BowcottAs some of you may be aware, the firm I work for (Aon) has more than 2,500 construction clients, and 13 of the top 15 Canadian contractors as clients. We have also acted as risk advisor and broker to a…
Lean construction puts down roots in Canada
February 22, 2017 Nate HendleyThe new Dr. F. H. Wigmore Regional Hospital in Moose Jaw, Sask., serves the Five Hills Health Region, an area containing 54,000 people in the south-central portion of the province. Open since late 2015, the facility is considered the first…
Law Column: Ledcor Construction vs. Northbridge Indemnity Insurance Co.
December 20, 2016 David Miachika and Alexander BjornsonBuilders’ Risk (or Course of Construction) insurance policies are commonplace on construction projects. Although they provide coverage for physical loss or damage to ongoing construction works, these policies typically include a “defects” exclusion for faulty or defective workmanship, materials or…
Is Canada becoming the world’s most advanced asset management economy?
December 20, 2016 David BowcottNo matter where I go these days it seems like every economy, both governments and corporations, are toying with new ways to design, build and operate their physical assets. The over-arching trend behind this long-term capital concept is Asset Management.…
Software for safer workplaces
December 20, 2016 Jacob StollerOne of the most ubiquitous requirements for contractors in all sectors of the industry is fulfilling their duty to keep workers safe. The issues are widely publicized, and training resources and safety tools are readily available. Maintaining a comprehensive safety…
WOC PRODUCT PREVIEW: Here’s what WOC 2017 has on tap
December 20, 2016 by Corinne LyndsTo be held January 17 to 20 at the Las Vegas Convention Centre, World of Concrete will spotlight innovative products, construction machinery, safety training courses and new technologies designed to help grow your business. Here is a sneak peek of…
New products and regulations are on tap for the concrete anchoring sector
December 20, 2016 Nate HendleyThe next few months will see new concrete anchoring product releases and new U.S. regulations about using such products. Power tool companies that sell concrete anchoring solutions will be displaying their wares at World of Concrete, scheduled January 17 –…
The Trump Effect: 5 ways “The Donald” could impact Canadian construction
December 13, 2016 by Corinne LyndsThe morning after Donald Trump was elected 45th president of the United States, my 10-year-old son, Ben, staggered sleepily out of his room with a concerned look on his face. He wanted to know if this meant there was going…
2017 pickup truck models get everything from a mild refresh, to a complete makeover
December 9, 2016 Jil McIntoshWith trucks as popular as they are, automakers can’t afford to stand still. Several models undergo everything from a mild refresh to a complete makeover for 2017. For those who need ultimate workhorses, Ford completely updates its Super Duty, while…