R.V. Anderson Associates claims awards from Ont. Public Works Assoc.

Denison Road Grade Separation (source: R.V. Anderson Associates Limited)

R.V. Anderson Associates Ltd. recently won two Project of the Year Awards from the Ontario Public Works Association: one for a grade separation undertaken for Metrolinx/GO Transit, and a second for a servicing expansion for the Township of Cavan Monaghan. The company  was also named on a third Project of the Year Award for a sewer project in Halton Region, which was led by another consultant.

 The Denison Road Grade Separation project, a link in the new Union-Pearson (UP) Express in Toronto, won Project of the Year in the “Structural, greater than $50 million” category. This project, which included railway bridges, needed to be expedited in preparation for the summer 2015 Pan American Games. RVA modified the project design to expedite the schedule, while careful construction sequencing allowed the bridges to be constructed earlier in the contract to meet the project goals.

 The purpose of the $64.5 million project was to separate vehicle and pedestrian traffic from high-speed rail traffic. To do so RVA designed two multi-track rail bridges (one for the UP Express and one for commercial freight traffic), a roadway underpass, an extensive retaining system, and a 4,000 m³ stormwater retention tank.

To mitigate delays associated with poor soils and high groundwater, RVA specified innovative construction techniques to allow the bridges to be constructed without deep excavation. The rest of the project, including a precast concrete stormwater retention tank that matches the curvature of the road, proceeded without delay after the rail bridges were in service.

The Millbrook Water and Wastewater Expansion, a program involving three separate projects, received a Project of the Year award in the “Small Municipality” category. At $22.7 million, the program is the largest infrastructure expenditure in the Township of Cavan Monaghan’s history and was supported by the provincial and federal governments. For the Township to maintain access to the funding, the program needed to be completed by a specific deadline, which was a challenge given the amount and complexity of the work.

RVA designed a capacity expansion of the Millbrook Wastewater Treatment Plant and upgrades at the nearby Tupper Street Sewage Pumping Station; a new water storage tank and booster pumping station; and associated watermain and sewer installations to the other projects. RVA, the Township, and three different contractors worked together closely to mitigate delays. Complex construction sequencing was involved, which helped maintain water and wastewater service.

RVA was also named on an award given to Halton Region’s Boyne Trunk Sewer project in the “Environment, greater than $50 million” category. RVA provided contract administration services during construction.