Diverse engineering projects win awards in Saskatchewan

Consulting Engineers of Saskatchewan have announced the winners in their 2002 awards. Seven engineering projects were honoured, covering a range of work from a new water treatment plant, to the design of a difficult and complex highway interchange, and the recovery of hydrocarbons from the subsoils and water of a gas industry site. The association represents 42 consulting engineering firms.

The winners are as follows:

Associated Engineering, for renovations to the mechanical systems at the North Battleford Comprehensive High School. Category: Building Science.
As a result of the renovations, the original load on the central supply air system of this school constructed in 1969 was reduced by approximately 30%.
The jury was particularly impressed by the intention to detail. “This was a project in which an engineering problem was given thorough treatment — an exhaustive investigation. And it paid off.”

Bullee Consulting, for the Town of Wawota Water Treatment Plant. Category: Infrastructure.
The project blended advanced water treatment technology with community support and involvement. The result is the largest municipal reverse osmosis water treatment plant in Saskatchewan.
The jury praised the way the team had presented two options — one, water meeting recommended standards, and two, water of much higher quality but at higher cost. Data was presented showing how the better water would reduce the need for bottled water and provide further savings in softening and by extending the life of water heaters. “This consultative approach enabled consumers to make an informed choice, selecting the higher quality.”

Stantec Consulting, for the Enhanced In-Situ Hydrocarbon Recovery Dual Phase Vacuum Extractions and Pneumatic Fracturing. Category: Environment.
Stantec Consulting in conjunction with Ground Effects Environmental Services was retained by TransGas Limited to design, commission and conduct performance monitoring for this extraction system at the Cantuar Field Scrubber site near Success, Saskatchewan.
The jury said, “It is projects such as this which give Saskatchewan residents cause to show confidence in the engineering profession to deal with environmental issues.”

Stantec Consulting, for the Core Area Park Underground Stormwater Detention Structure. Category: Infrastructure.
The facility was built to improve flood protection for residents in the Core Area neighbourhood of Regina. It involved a 6,300-m2 cast-in-place concrete underground detention structure as well as tie-ins to the existing storm sewer, high capacity catchbasins, etc. The jury cited the “exhaustive analysis of material options and structure shapes to attain a cost effective, long life and easily maintained storage facility. The project was designed and constructed in less than eight months.

UMA Engineering, for the Intake Twinning Buffalo Pound Water Treatment Plant, Phase II Expansion. Category: Infrastructure
The plant provides drinking water to the residents of Regina, Moose Jaw and surrounding rural communities. The original intake structure and connecting conduit were built in 1951. Considering the structure’s age, the cities decided to construct a second independent intake structure and conduit.
The Judges commented: “This project exhibited innovation, a high degree of difficulty and technical excellence. Specifically, the innovative use of a floating siltation curtain to protect the existing inlet; the difficulty of dealing with soils that were inconsistent and unstable; and the technical skills in monitoring water quality.”

Trialpha Consulting, for the 22nd Street and Circle Drive Interchange Study. Category: Infrastructure.
For years different solutions had been proposed to deal with a difficult interchange in the City of Saskatoon where the main east-west arterial roadway known as 22nd Street crosses two closely spaced north-south roadways known as Confederation Drive and Circle Drive. A railway corridor on one side and commercial and retail development on the other confined the space available for the interchange.
The judges commented: “What can one say about a project that is finally proceeding after the development of over 50 interchange alternatives over a 40-year period. It was the interchange design of Trialpha Consulting that finally obtained approval, and although there were some changes from the original plans, [it] is nearing completion.”

Trialpha Consulting, for the SGI Safety Engineering Studies Project. Category: Partnering.
The work involved studies on the highest-collision intersections in Saskatoon, Regina and Prince Albert for the Saskatchewan Government Insurance (SGI). The studies, carried out between the years of 1996 and 2001, examined engineering solutions to resolve recurring collision patterns.
The jury noted that the subsequent safety provisions were “so successful that the studied intersections reduced accidents by 80 to 90 per cent, greatly reducing personal suffering. The achieved return on investment, cost of accidents eliminated over five year period/cost of construction was in the order of 7:1.”

The Association’s special award for an individual — the Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan Meritorious Award of Achievement for 2002 — was given to J.D. (Jack) Mollard of J.D. Mollard and Associates.

For more details, visit the Consulting Engineers of Saskatchewan web site at www.ces.sk.ca