The contractors behind some of British Columbia’s most important transportation and infrastructure projects in 2019 were recognized at the B.C. Highways Contractor Awards luncheon at the Victoria Conference Centre on Dec. 6, 2019.
The categories for this year’s awards included bridges and structures, grading, paving, road and bridge maintenance, and community service.
Bridges and structures
The award of excellence for bridges and structures in 2019 went to Formula Contractors Ltd. for replacing the Bowlder Creek culvert on Highway 97 near Chetwynd with a 30.5 metre, two-lane bridge and new highway approaches. The project also included stream channel stabilization work and environmental management.
When the fish salvage was delayed, Formula Contractors worked extra hours to complete the under-span riprap to keep the girder delivery and placement on schedule. Working with the Moberly Lake Band as environmental observers, Formula Contractors and its partners completed this project on time and under budget.
Grading
MacKay Contracting Ltd. was presented the top award for grading for the Highway 1 Donald to Forde Station Road four-laning project near Golden. Work included widening 2.5 kilometres of Highway 1 to four lanes and improving access to the commercial vehicle safety enforcement inspection station. They exhibited excellent traffic management, adjusting well to changing conditions throughout the project, which was completed on time, without incidents and minimal traffic disruptions to this busy corridor.
VICTORIA, B.C. - Several contractors behind some of British Columbia's most important transportation and infrastructure projects in 2019 were recognized at the B.C. Highways Contractor Awards. https://t.co/LkIdGkMG9y pic.twitter.com/OAlO4Q00E3
— energeticcity (@EnergeticCity) December 9, 2019
Paving
The top honour for paving went to BA Blacktop Ltd. for its work on the Highway 11 Harris Road to Mission Bridge resurfacing project near Abbotsford. This corridor sees approximately 43,000 vehicles per day. As the only crossing over the Fraser River within the Fraser Valley, it was critical to complete the project in a timely manner. BA Blacktop came up with a plan to implement crossover paving works that would avoid disruption for daily commuters. It also adjusted its traffic management and detour plans to minimize delays once construction started. The project was completed on budget and ahead of schedule.
Road and bridge maintenance
The award for road and bridge maintenance went to Yellowhead Road & Bridge (YRB) Vanderhoof, which is responsible for approximately 1,500 kilometres of roads and 41 bridges across the communities of Vanderhoof, Fort St. James, Fraser Lake, Fort Fraser and Endako. YRB Vanderhoof has shown great pride in the quality of the work it does and is exceptional at maintaining the highways and bridges in its service area, in all weather conditions. YRB Vanderhoof is well known for its positive relationships with the community and for providing support through community engagement and volunteer work.
Community service
Selkirk Paving Ltd. is this year’s winner for its dedication to community service. It donated funds to the Rossland Skatepark, donated time and materials to the Nelson Tennis Club and the Nelson Nordic Ski Club, and donated a pathway to the City of Nelson Hall Street Project in spring 2019. In June, Selkirk Paving contributed to the well-being of its community by engaging families in the “Dig with Dad” event. This free interactive event brought together children, parents and the Selkirk Paving team at the Chakho Mika Mall, allowing children to check out construction equipment while raising over $5,000 for ALS.
PHOTO: EnergeticCity/TWITTER