VICTORIA — Contractors that build and maintain British Columbia’s transportation infrastructure where honoured recently through the B.C. Transportation Contractor of the Year awards, which celebrate achievements in construction, road and bridge maintenance, safety and community service.
The following are this year’s recipients.
Bridges and Structures
Coquitlam Ridge Constructors Ltd. (CRC), an ECV Group Company, received the Bridges and Structures award for its work to restore Highway 1 after 2021’s floods.
The new three-lane bridge at Falls Creek is named CÉ™X̣ʷ CixÊ· (Check-Chow), reflecting a partnership with the Nlaka’pamux Nation and neighbouring communities. The project provided local Fraser Canyon businesses and Indigenous workers with direct project employment and hiring local Indigenous businesses and equipment. The project’s environmental stewardship included innovative water collection methods during drought conditions, a release reads. The team adapted to challenges, such as wildfires and extreme weather, working without safety incidents and finishing the bridge on time and under budget in June.
Paving
Emil Anderson Construction (EAC) received the Paving award for its work from the Elkhart brake check to John’s Creek on Highway 97C east of Merritt.
The company exceeded standards for design aspects like asphalt quality and created a smooth riding surface. The project’s safety focus included comprehensive training for new staff. EAC maintained strong communication with ministry staff and other stakeholders, ensuring minimal disruption and safe traffic flow during construction while delivering the project on time and under budget, the release describes.
Grading
Conwest Contracting Ltd. received the Grading award for its work on the Phibbs Transit Exchange improvements in North Vancouver.
The company completed its work at a high-traffic urban worksite, managing tight schedules and collaborating closely with stakeholders to minimize disruptions, such as configuring side streets so transit service continued throughout the project.
The company worked with First Nation partners, honouring the cultural significance of the site by incorporating traditional plants and supporting Indigenous art installations.
Workplace health and safety
Lafarge Canada Inc. received the Workplace Health and Safety award for a remote transfer-switch system that enhances driver safety during trailer hookups.
By pushing a button, drivers wirelessly align their truck hitch using a backup camera. By connecting transfer trailers to tandem trucks from within their cabs, drivers spend less time outside their trucks, avoiding high-traffic areas and other hazards, the release states.
Road and bridge maintenance
Yellowhead Road & Bridge (Fort George) Ltd., also known as YRB – Fort George, received the Road and Bridge Maintenance award for its commitment to maintaining safe roads and bridges in the Fort George area (Service Area 19).
YRB’s commitment to timely response to emergencies was on display this summer when the company supported Jasper wildfire evacuees, providing essential supplies and directing traffic to safety.
Community service
Cutting Edge Consulting Inc. (CEC) received the Community Service award for its support for many communities in B.C.
When the 2021 atmospheric river flooded Nicola Valley, CEC helped repair seven critical bridges and rebuild Highway 8, the release continues. Beyond this ministry work, the company donated equipment and labour to help Merritt residents protect their homes from further flood damage and also helped out after bridge fires in Kamloops and Adams Lake.
The company supports many local initiatives and community events, such as Kamloops Boogie the Bridge, the Salvation Army’s Adopt-A-Family and the Kamloops Food Bank. Its support also reaches young athletes, sponsoring local youth in sports and trades competitions, and fostering the next generation of talent through school trades programs like Heavy Metal Rocks.
Recent Comments