‘Holding up Parliament’: Centre Block renovation shifts from big dig to structural rebuild
AI Article Summary
The Centre Block renovation at Parliament Hill in Ottawa has transitioned from excavation to structural rebuild, marking a pivotal phase in Canada's largest heritage rehabilitation project. Crews have started concrete pouring for the Parliament Welcome Centre's basement level, while employing a temporary support system to protect the structure from earthquakes. Managed by PCL Constructors Canada Inc. and EllisDon Corp., the project faces challenges such as inflation and labor shortages. Completion is expected in 2031, with the building reopening in 2032 after commissioning.
What This Means for Canadian Contractors
This project shows how large-scale renovations can be managed with careful planning and engineering, despite challenges like labor shortages and inflation. For Canadian builders, this means emphasizing adaptive strategies and contingency planning to handle similar hurdles. The use of temporary supports and seismic isolators underscores the importance of investing in specialized technologies to safeguard heritage structures.
