North America - Page 1
Stay up to date with the latest North America updates from the global tunnels industryLatest North America Update
Getting clearance Navigating existing infrastructure above and below ground, Dragados/ Tomlinson has completed the first of two drives for a new stormwater storage system in Ottawa. Nicole Robinson reports
Advanced Tunnel modelling Ioannis Vazaios of Queens University and Nicholas Vlachopoulos of the Royal Military College of Canada discuss the modelling of diverse tunnelling conditions and integration of the appropriate numerical modelling technique into the design process
Risk management in major projects Four speakers from across the tunnelling industry gave their perspectives on the management of risk in tunnelling and major infrastructure projects at the October 19 British Tunnelling Society meeting. Bill Grose introduced the topic and set the scene with lessons from history, Kevin Province spoke about catastrophic events and some observations on best practice, Nigel Legge discussed causes of tunnelling failures and methods of risk management, and Patrick Barney gave the perspective of the insurance industry. This report was prepared by Martyn Noak of CH2M
Results driven A survey earlier in the year found a majority in support of updating the International Tunnelling Insurance Group’s code, T&T reports
One big bore Rail projects across North America are considering single tunnel drives, Nicole Robinson reports
What’s the Difference Ophir Wainer, Lawrence Arcand, and Blain Hunt, of T2 Utility Engineers, discuss subsurface utility engineering and utility locating
Better below Critics cite delays and cost overruns when new infrastructure is being considered and at the root of this is often construction impeded by issues with utilities. A new emphasis on underground utility engineering looks for ways to better cope with the urban subsurface, Nicole Robinson reports
Good neighbor Paola De Pascali spoke with Walsh/Shea Corridor Constructors about the challenges of the Metro Crenshaw/LAX Line in Los Angeles
Ground control Joseph Sopko, director of ground freezing for Moretrench, discusses the design of frozen Earth structure for cross passage excavation
In the field In June students from the geomechanics graduate program at Queen’s University in Kingston, travelled to Europe for two weeks of research and tours—seeing first hand the challenges and innovative solutions required to complete the region’s impressive geological engineering projects. Mark Diederichs reports
Working remotely Nichole Boultbee, engineering geologist with Golder Associates Ltd. and Oliver Robson, project manager with Innergex Renewable Energy Inc., report on the challenges of working in a remote and sensitive environment for the now operational Upper Lillooet River hydro facility
In the nick of time To secure the potable water supply for Montreal, a new intake tunnel is being built with a fast-track design and construction schedule. Jean Habimana, regional tunnel practice lead - east region for Hatc
Investigate and implement Toronto is preparing to build 22km of tunnels to improve waterways in the Great Lakes Basin. Mark Bruder of R.V. Anderson Associates Limited, Daniel Cressman of Black & Veatch, and Robert Mayberry with the City of Toronto outline the geotechnical investigation program for the Don River and Central Waterfront Wet Weather Flow System
Bonding well To repair a limestone block tunnel more than 120 years old, a local watershed agency and its engineering consultant devised a solution using shotcrete to create a tunnel in a tunnel. Nicole Robinson reports on the Trout Brook Storm Sewer Interceptor’s rehabilitation
Draw from Experience Wellpoint installation under hydraulic pressure for dewatering for cross passage construction on Toronto’s Eglinton Crosstown LRT project
Next exit The Eglinton Crosstown LRT is Ontario’s largest transit expansion to date. Two contracts constructed 10km of underground alignment for the 19km line. Jordan Schreiner and Matthew Geary of Hatch, with Tibor Szekely of Metrolinx, discuss the completion of the East Tunnels and TBM removal
Joint effort Sarah Wilson and William Edgerton of McMillen Jacobs Associates report on use and abuse of the schedule during procurement and construction
On a grand scale
Atlanta’s water supply program will transform a quarry into one of the largest reservoirs in
North America, Desiree Willis, technical writer for Robbins, reports
Nature’s Gift “Nothing is too big for us. Nothing is too expensive to imagine. Nothing is too visionary,” Sir Adam Beck said. His legacy powers much of Ontario and is preserved in Sir Adam Beck I and II generating stations at Niagara Falls, Nicole Robinson reports
