Articles tagged with "Infrastructure"

Danielle Smith is promoting a pipeline project in British Columbia, emphasizing the benefits it holds for the entire country. She is adopting a collaborative 'Team Canada' approach to gather support. However, she acknowledges the necessity to address the concerns of Indigenous communities impacted by the project.

David Eby clarifies that the main hindrance to the oil pipeline project desired by Alberta is not opposition from British Columbia, but rather a lack of financial backing and a committed proponent. There are numerous potential projects that British Columbia and Alberta could pursue together to enhance economic prosperity in Western Canada.

The Vancouver city council has approved a change to its 20-year Granville Street Plan to address the issue of Single Room Occupancy (SRO) housing in the Granville Entertainment District. The plan aims to shift SRO housing to areas outside this district by offering land elsewhere in Vancouver for development. This initiative seeks to revitalize the district while providing alternative housing options. The council's decision was unanimous.

The British Columbia government has given a preview of the ongoing Broadway subway tunnel construction in Vancouver, part of a $2.95 billion extension of the SkyTrain Millennium Line. The project, which includes six underground stations and is slated to open in 2027, is expected to triple the passenger capacity compared to the current rapid bus service. Although there are slight cost overruns common to underground construction, it remains largely under control. The project is expected to expand the overall SkyTrain capacity by over 27% by also extending the Expo Line to Langley.

B.C. Premier David Eby has firmly stated his opposition to a new oil pipeline crossing through British Columbia. This statement comes in response to Ontario Premier Doug Ford's suggestion that Eby might reconsider his stance. Eby clarified that he remains unwavering in his decision, emphasizing the environmental concerns associated with such projects.

The Government of British Columbia has commenced construction on the Highway 1 bus-on-shoulder project, which aims to improve transit between downtown Victoria and the Westshore. This project is part of the larger South Island Transportation Strategy to enhance rapid transit options. It will include new bus lanes, ecological restoration, and improved pedestrian and cyclist infrastructure. The project is expected to be completed by late 2027, funded jointly by the province and federal government.

The Association of Consulting Engineering Companies British Columbia (ACEC-BC) recently held its annual Awards for Engineering Excellence, recognizing the outstanding innovative and technical contributions of engineering firms in the province. Premier David Eby applauded the profession's impact on infrastructure. Firms and individuals were awarded for various categories such as Buildings, Bridges, Municipal Infrastructure, and more. Some recipients included Klohn Crippen Berger, AtkinsRéalis, and WSP, among others.

Construction is set to begin on a new student residence at Simon Fraser University (SFU) in Burnaby, providing 445 additional beds, with plans for a new child care facility starting later this year. These developments aim to decrease commute times and ease pressure on the local rental market, in a project with a total capital cost of $196.6 million funded by the Province and SFU. The project is part of SFU's ongoing student-housing expansion, with phases 1 and 2 already adding 856 beds. The new facilities are expected to be completed by fall 2027.

The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority is set to start the bidding process in July 2025 for constructing the Roberts Bank Terminal 2, a new container superport in Metro Vancouver. The project, which received federal and provincial approvals in 2023, aims to significantly boost the region's container handling capacity and is expected to create thousands of jobs. The superport, with an estimated cost of over $2 billion, is scheduled for partial completion by the mid-2030s, pending procurement processes and environmental compliance. The first phase of construction involves land reclamation, with bidders shortlisted through a Request For Qualifications process.

BC Hydro is seeking a new owner for its large Site C work camp. A non-profit organization in Surrey believes this facility could be effectively repurposed as supportive housing. The transformation could provide much-needed accommodation for people in need. This initiative highlights potential new uses for existing infrastructure in British Columbia.

The Site C dam project in British Columbia is nearing completion, and the large temporary worker camp built to accommodate nearly 2,000 workers is now facing potential dismantling. There is a concern that the materials used for the camp could end up in a landfill if not properly managed. This raises questions about sustainability practices in large construction projects. Decisions on the future use or disposal of the camp materials are pending.

The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority has initiated preliminary efforts on a project to dredge Burrard Inlet. The goal is to accommodate the docking of fully loaded oil tankers. This step is crucial for enhancing the port's capacity. It marks the beginning of preparations aimed at improving shipping logistics in the region.