Ontario Construction News staff writer
The 2020/2021 B.C. Transportation Contractor of the Year Awards of Excellence, recently recognized contractors behind some of the province’s most important transportation and infrastructure projects.
This year’s ceremony included 2020 and 2021 because the awards program was cancelled last year
“As the past few weeks have shown, British Columbians can always count on the province’s heavy construction industry to step up when they’re most needed,” said Rob Fleming, minister of transportation and infrastructure. “Though these are annual awards, it’s especially important this year for us to acknowledge these contractors who tirelessly maintain our province’s highways and roads. The expertise and resilience of the winners and nominees is greatly appreciated.”
2020 Workplace health and safety
Lafarge Canada Inc. introduced a lighting system that provides a red line of light encircling asphalt paving rollers and mandating the use of a hard-hat lighting system for on-site technicians, Lafarge was able to reduce reported incidents by 37%, first-aid incidents by 41% and had zero reportable injuries in 2020.
2021 Workplace health and safety
NorLand Limited developed an online training portal that helped significantly reduce workplace injuries. The portal provides workers in all of the company’s divisions consistent communication on organizational and safety policies, programs, procedures and expectations.
2020 Award of Excellence for Bridges and Structures
Dorosh Construction Ltd. – for work on the Carolin Bridge. Dorosh resurfaced the bridge deck, installed new bearings and paved the approaches to this important connection on the Coquihalla (Highway 5).
2021 Award of Excellence for Bridges and Structures
Coquitlam Ridge Constructors Ltd. – for work on the Cortiana Bridge. This project included building a new two-lane, 10-metre bridge, replacing culverts and reconstructing highway approaches in a challenging location – Highway 6 in the Monashee Mountains.
2020 Grading
Copcan Civil Ltd. – for work on the Highway 93/95 Intersection Improvements Project in Radium Hot Springs. Work included replacing the four-way stop, which caused heavy congestion and lengthy delays during peak travel periods, with a roundabout to keep traffic moving efficiently and safely through the community.
2021 Grading
Lafarge Canada Inc. – for work on the Highway 1 Lower Lynn and Lynn Creek Connectivity Improvements Project. Lafarge’s construction included a new five-lane underpass, road realignment, ramp and intersection reconstruction, a creek relocation, and various lane, bridge and on-ramp construction.
2020 Paving
All Roads Construction Ltd. – for asphalt resurfacing of Highway 1 from Willingdon to Gaglardi. In addition to asphalt overlay, the project included milling, paving, utility adjustments, barrier removal and replacement, as well as the reinstatement of lane lines and reflectors.
2021 Paving
Dawson Construction – for work on Highway 97 through 100 Mile House. This work was done at night on a limited time schedule to minimize disruptions to travellers.
2020 Community Service
Yellowhead Road & Bridge (Vanderhoof) Ltd. volunteers its resources and equipment to ensure the road to the ski area and park, and its extensive parking lots, are cleared of snow and safe for the community to access.
2021 Community Service
Mainroad Lower Mainland Contracting LP has supported Critter Care Wildlife Society to secure food for the animals, develop better housing, strengthen enclosures and spread awareness in the community since 2011.
2020 Road and Bridge Maintenance
Dawson Road Maintenance – for work in the south Cariboo region. Dawson Road Maintenance provides maintenance for 5,873 kilometres of roads, four rest areas, approximately 180 bridges, avalanche and rockfall areas, and an inland ferry.
2021 Road and Bridge Maintenance
Yellowhead Road & Bridge (Nicola) Ltd. – for work in the Nicola region. Yellowhead is responsible for approximately 3,400 kilometres of roads, 168 bridges, the Lytton Reaction Ferry and a snowshed.