Articles from On-site

Skyway Bridging Partners has been awarded the design contract for the Garden City Skyway Bridge twinning project in St. Catharines, Ontario. The project aims to construct a new four-lane bridge to ease traffic during rehabilitation of the existing bridge, connecting the Niagara region with the United States. This vital transportation infrastructure enhancement supports traffic flow, secures a trade and tourism corridor, and creates jobs. The existing bridge, built in 1963, requires rehabilitation, and the new bridge will support future expansions.

Humber Polytechnic, in partnership with CourseCompare and Pomerleau, has launched a Project Coordinator for Construction micro-credential program. This 16-hour course aims to fill a skills gap in Canada's construction sector by offering practical training relevant to current market demands. The course includes technical instruction and simulations conducted by industry professionals to help boost Canada's housing and infrastructure capacity. It is available to companies for upskilling employees, with flexible delivery options and pricing based on cohort sizes.

Aberdeen Avenue in Hamilton, Ontario, has been named the CAA's Worst Road in Ontario for the second year in a row due to issues such as potholes and poor maintenance. Barton Street East in Hamilton and County Road 49 in Prince Edward County rank second and third, respectively. CAA emphasizes the need for government funding to address road conditions and highlights that public nominations for the program have increased. Many Ontarians are willing to endure temporary construction to achieve long-term road improvements.

Giatec, a digital concrete technology platform, has formed a strategic partnership with Sika AG, a specialty chemicals company. This collaboration aims to advance smart testing technologies and the real-time analysis of concrete data, enhancing quality and sustainability in concrete construction. Giatec expects this investment to boost global adoption of its technologies and plans to expand further into European and international markets. The partnership aims to improve efficiency and reduce carbon footprint in the construction industry.

GHD and SLA have been selected by Waterfront Toronto as the prime consultant and design lead, respectively, for the infrastructure and streetscape design of Ookwemin Minising, a new island community in Toronto. The project aims to integrate innovative engineering and responsive design, inspired by local Indigenous knowledge, to create a sustainable, low-carbon urban environment. Also, the team will focus on enhancing biodiversity and community interaction through its 'Growing Streets' concept. The new island will house over 15,000 residents and transform Toronto's waterfront area by 2031.

The article discusses a recent event hosted by 4S Consulting Services in Ontario, titled 'A Day of Safety Excellence and Innovation.' Key topics included safety trends, workshops, and recognition of safety leaders in construction. The event featured a discussion on the upcoming Ontario Infrastructure Academy, an initiative to provide modular safety training for the construction workforce. Emphasis was placed on the importance of safety culture in the industry.

The Ontario government is proposing changes to streamline the construction of Skills Development Fund (SDF) training centers, aiming to help workers amidst U.S. tariffs and economic challenges. These changes will allow faster construction by removing certain regulatory hurdles, while maintaining health and safety standards. The proposal includes amendments to the Working for Workers Acts, addressing issues like fraudulent job ads and simplifying processes for construction projects with certified safety management systems. LiUNA Local 506 and the Ontario Road Builders Association praise these developments for facilitating better training and upholding safety standards.

The Ontario government is proposing legislation that would require Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs) on construction sites. This initiative aims to make workplaces safer for construction workers, building on previous legislation requiring naloxone kits in at-risk workplaces. The requirement targets projects expected to last at least three months with 20 or more workers. The Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) may provide financial support for the cost of AEDs.

In March, Canada's building construction investment saw a decline of 0.9%, despite remaining higher than March 2024, with gains in the non-residential sector offsetting residential sector losses. Non-residential construction rose by 1.3%, while the residential sector fell by 1.8%. The multi-unit residential segment saw a significant decrease of 3.8%, particularly in Ontario and Quebec. Overall, investment grew by 5.4% year-over-year, with the non-residential segment marking its eighth consecutive month of increase.

Aecon Kiewit Nuclear Partners have been contracted to construct the first small modular reactor (SMR) in North America at the Darlington New Nuclear Project in Ontario, scheduled for completion in 2030. This major energy project, by Ontario Power Generation, involves collaboration with partners like GE Vernova Hitachi and aims to meet increasing electricity demands, contributing to Canada's GDP and generating jobs. The project, which includes four SMRs, will serve as a milestone in nuclear energy development in Ontario, producing substantial electricity to power millions of homes.