2023 was an exciting year at Associated. For the first time in our 77-year history, we received the Outstanding Project of the Year Award (Small Project Category) from FIDIC (the International Federation of Consulting Engineers) for the Blatchford Neighbourhood District Energy System – Phase 1 project in Edmonton. We’re very proud of our work on this project in collaboration with the City of Edmonton, and being recognized on the world-stage for this “community of the future”, which is a model for sustainable development.
I’m very proud of the many industry and professional awards that our projects and staff have received across our areas of practice. This recognition is a testament to the technical excellence of our projects, and the expertise and outstanding contributions of our staff to our industry.
Over the years, Associated Engineering has worked with hundreds of Indigenous communities across Canada on projects that support their community development and well-being. Recognizing that we can do more to enhance our understanding of Indigenous history, culture, values and to advance reconciliation, we have established an Indigenous Commitment Policy and Action Plan. We are hosting cross-company webinars on Indigenous history, the residential school system, and how we can advance reconciliation on our projects. We are also supporting community events and participating in career fairs to promote youth education in science and engineering, and have established awards to students pursuing post-secondary education.
As 2023 draws to a close, I wish to thank our clients for your continued confidence in us as your consultant and trusted advisor. To our partners, friends, staff, and your families, thank you for your support and efforts.
From the Associated family, we wish you a very merry holiday season!
Since 2020, Associated Environmental has worked with various municipalities, including the County of Grande Prairie, Sturgeon County, Lac La Biche County, the Municipal District of Greenview, Parkland County, Strathcona County, and the Cities of Red Deer and Leduc, to complete wetland restoration and construction projects on behalf of the Alberta Environment and Protected AreasWetland Replacement Program.
Kristen Andersen, Technical Specialist, Wetlands and Restoration, tells us, “We are the first consulting company to successfully complete projects under this new program. Currently, approximately 20 municipalities and three non-governmental organizations are enrolled in the program.” Associated has been engaged by 12 municipalities and successfully completed 17 projects resulting in the restoration of over 65 wetlands.
The Wetland Replacement Program has evolved significantly since its inception. Kristen has provided input on Alberta Environment and Protected Areas wetland policy documents as a volunteer. Kristen also currently teaches a course in wetland restoration at the University of Alberta.
Having been involved since the beginning of the program, we were able to supply early examples of deliverables under the program. Kristen says, “Each restoration or replacement project presents unique issues and challenges that require innovative, dynamic solutions, including engaging with multiple stakeholders, navigating new legislation and funding programs, and working within land access and soil handling restraints.”
As we completed the projects, we met these program objectives:
Improve the quality of runoff from the contributing drainage area
Provide flood flow attenuation
Improve habitat for a diversity of wildlife, including waterfowl, wading birds, shorebirds, amphibians, reptiles, and bats
Increase educational opportunities and opportunities for the public to view wildlife
Increase habitat for pollinators, including bees, butterflies, and moths
Control non-native plants and restore habitat for a diversity of native plants
Demonstrate how wetlands may be restored without constructing a dam and without using a well, pipes, pump, diversions, or a water control structure
“We are currently monitoring all sites, which is required for four years after construction. This involves assessing vegetation establishment, hydrological conditions, and other factors based on design.”
For more information about our wetlands and restoration services, please contact Kristen Andersen at andersenk@ae.ca.
The City of Airdrie is one of the fastest growing communities in Alberta, with a population exceeding 80,000 in 2023. Access in-and-out of Airdrie via Highway 2 was limited to two highway exits. Traffic using Yankee Valley Boulevard was often delayed by the at-grade Canadian Pacific Railway train movements. The interchange at Highway 2 and 40th Avenue was identified by the Government of Alberta as a necessary project in the early 2000’s.
In 2017, the City of Airdrie engaged Associated Engineering to be the lead consultant for the design of the highway interchange, 40th Avenue roadway, and five bridges. Associated’s team designed the bridges, stormwater, and Highway 2 electrical roadway lighting. A subconsultant designed the roadway geometrics, traffic signals, and civil design of the Nose Creek channel realignment with Associated’s Environmental team designing the Nose Creek realignment revegetation and providing regulatory services. Later, the project expanded to include the construction of the six-lane 40th Avenue corridor, with a half interchange at Highway 2, three new bridges, a new twin Structural Plate Corrugated Steel Pipe culvert bridge with Nose Creek realignment and bridge widening over the Canadian Pacific Railway.
Associated and the City brought forward lessons learned from previous projects working over/adjacent to railway lines. Regular communication with Canadian Pacific Railway was established to schedule work and provide early warning of critical activities impacting their asset.
Associated and the City, in coordination with Alberta Transportation and Economic Corridors, had Highway 2 posted to 80 km/hr for the duration of the project as a safety measure. Temporary barriers or requested lane closures also helped to provide a safe working area.
The City of Airdrie, Associated, and the contractor (EllisDon) maintained a collaborative relationship throughout the project, which helped the team overcome several challenges to successfully deliver the project under-budget and on-time. For example, construction industry trades were over-extended by multiple mega-projects in the greater Calgary region. The contractor worked with subtrades to secure resources to limit impact on the project. The project partners managed costs by maintaining open lines of communication, assessing risks, and reviewing costs and budgets.
Associated Environmental worked with regulators to obtain the necessary permits. A summary memo of the permits, conditions, and references was provided to the project team for ease of monitoring, ensuring regulatory compliance was communicated in a simple and straight forward manner. The project was subject to the requirements of the Nose Creek Watershed Management Plan. The City, landowner, and Alberta Environment and Parks collaborated to evaluate options and maximize opportunities for the successful resolution of the alignment and crossing for Nose Creek. The approach reduced disruption to the existing creek to the extent possible and diminished land severance and acquisition.
“The enhancements made to the Nose Creek alignment and watershed within the project footprint help provide a cleaner environment for generations to come.”– Peter Grant, Project Manager
The new east-west connection will allow the King’s Heights Fire Station to better service southwest Airdrie neighbourhoods by reducing travel time and provide these areas with direct access to commercial and recreational facilities, as well as the City of Calgary. Residents have reported that, since the opening of the interchange in October 2023, their commuting time has been reduced by 15 to 20 minutes.
The new, $83 million interchange will benefit future land development in the area that is currently constrained due to transportation capacity. A future development area of about 36,000 residential units is planned over a 30-year period.
Key Associated personnel included Peter Grant, Scott Etzel, Kevin Ho, Christa Luckasavitch, Joseph Wang, Larry Mouland, Lisbeth Medina, Eliman Camara, Howard Mariano, Jenna Gillman, Kourtney Cameron, Jim Zagas, and Jon Wiens.
ATAP Infrastructure Management assists in operating and maintaining water, wastewater, and municipal infrastructure. A member of the Associated Engineering group of companies, ATAP offers technical support, operations, troubleshooting expertise, and infield and classroom training by highly experienced operators.
The Government of Manitoba Indigenous Reconciliation and Northern Relations engaged ATAP’s Water System Circuit Riders to provide water systems support to northern communities. Circuit Riders provide operators with tailored water treatment education and hands-on support to improve the efficacy and efficiency of their water system operation and maintenance. The intent is for communities to achieve compliance with facility licensing and meet applicable regulations and environmental acts.
Launched in 2021, the initial phase of the program involved six communities (Duck Bay, Camperville, Berens River, Barrows, Comorant, and Sherridon) and focused on addressing the prolonged boil water advisories ordered in these communities. The Water System Circuit Riders currently supplies water system operational support and water system operator training services to the communities of Berens River, Pikwitonei, Thicket Portage, Wabowden, Cross Lake and Nelson House. These six communities are all governed by elected mayors and council under the Northern Affairs Act. A collaborative effort, facilitated by the collective expertise of our Water Circuit Rider team and our extensive network, yielded positive results, enabling five of the communities to independently manage their water systems.
“The aim of the Water System Circuit Riders initiative is to enable operators to effectively manage their community water systems and ensure the availability of clean, fresh drinking water.” – Mark Keller, ATAP Manager
A strong collaboration between operators, ATAP trainers, and government staff results in the creation of a tailored plan which aids operators in acquiring their certification registration and prepares them for in-person training specific to their community water systems.
For operators who have already obtained their certifications, the Water System Circuit Riders assist them in developing standard operating procedures to maintain their systems and ensure they meet their regulatory and operational requirements. The Water System Circuit Riders travel to these remote communities, providing hands-on mentoring and training for essential operational tasks, such as daily water quality monitoring, sample collection and delivery to laboratories for analysis, equipment maintenance, record-keeping, and reporting.
In 2022, the project entered its second phase, encompassing six communities, including two distant northern communities with challenges, particularly in terms of limited access and resources to address issues concerning their water treatment systems. ATAP successfully secured the contract through a tender process. Mark shares, “The communities have struggled to maintain compliance with provincial drinking water requirements and regulations and their water systems have been subject to frequent/long-term water advisories.”
Project Coordinator, Milton Wood, says, “We work with the communities to ensure all regulatory and operational requirements are understood and travel to each location to provide on-site, in-person training to the local operators of the public works systems so they are able to meet the operating challenges and permit requirements consistently.” Training videos, designed for the transfer of knowledge, were also produced as an integral component of the services offered.
Water & Wastewater Systems Specialists, Phil Beaulac and Kevin Sutter, serve as the on-site trainers and are both highly experienced operators. Phil also has numerous years of experience and knowledge gained from working in northern communities. Kevin says, “Two communities are fly-in only, as no other access is available. Due to the remote locations, we stayed with locals.” Phil adds, “With the limited access to available materials, we worked with the operators to overcome issues related to the remote-working environments.”
Our Water Circuit Riders have completed six of nine visits to each community of the 18-month contract. The team members have fostered a mentorship relationship with the operators and have made themselves available around the clock to offer troubleshooting assistance and leverage their extensive experience in the field of water and wastewater management.
Effective communication with all stakeholders, collaborative efforts with the Government of Manitoba, and the participation of northern communities in the program are key components of our ongoing work and successful service delivery.
Alternative delivery projects are complex undertakings, demanding thorough planning, design, and implementation. Alternative delivery methods, such as design-build or public-private partnerships (P3) offer owners numerous advantages, including accelerated delivery, cost savings, and enhanced quality. However, they also introduce significant challenges, such as risk ownership, reduced control, and complicated contracts.
To successfully deliver major transportation and infrastructure programs via alternative delivery approaches, project owners require a reliable partner with sufficient professional resources to advocate for their interests and guide them throughout the project. This is where Owner’s Engineers can assist.
Associated Engineering has acted as Owner’s Engineer for several high-profile transportation projects, including the Regina Bypass, West Calgary Ring Road, Edmonton’s Capital Line South LRT Extension, and the Deerfoot Trail Improvements in Calgary. We served a pivotal role in steering these projects to successful planning, design, construction, and commissioning. Our expertise and guidance have contributed to developing safe, efficient, and sustainable transportation systems benefitting society.
The Crucial Role of Owner’s Engineers
As Owner’s Engineers, our role is to work directly for the project owner, acting as their representative and advocate. We are deeply integrated into the project team and actively participate in the decision-making process. We bring our extensive knowledge, experience, and industry best practices to offer professional advice and guidance to the project owners, stakeholders, and contractors. Our primary responsibility is to assist owners to successfully deliver projects with the highest levels of efficiency, safety, and quality, while adhering to established technical standards and regulations.
Our key responsibilities include the following:
Strategic Planning: We assist in defining project objectives, scope, and key performance indicators, creating a comprehensive project plan that specifies technical requirements and budget constraints. We also aid in selecting the most suitable delivery method and contractor for the project, considering project goals and risks.
Quality Assurance: We oversee project design and implementation for compliance with technical requirements, industry standards, local regulations, and best practices. We conduct site inspections, audits, and tests to verify the quality of work and materials, providing an early warning of potential issues. Our vigilance helps identify and address potential issues early, reducing the risk of costly revisions or delays.
Risk Mitigation: We identify and manage risks, conducting comprehensive risk assessments and proposing mitigation strategies. We monitor the project schedule, scope, and budget, ensuring that any changes are properly documented and approved. This minimizes the likelihood of unexpected challenges derailing the project and helps protect the project owner from any claims, disputes, or liabilities that may arise.
Contract Management: We play a vital role in administration, reviewing the Alternative Delivery Team’s work for adherence with the project’s terms and conditions, and overseeing the contractor’s performance. This includes reviewing and approving the detailed design, invoices, change orders, and claims resolution; certifying construction completion; and evaluating items for traffic availability. We also help resolve any issues or conflicts that may occur between the owner, contractor, and other stakeholders by championing partnering principles.
Project Monitoring: Throughout the project’s lifecycle, we provide continuous monitoring and reporting services to keep the project owner informed of progress and promptly address any deviations from the plan. We use various tools and methods, such as dashboards, reports, and feedback loops, to track and measure the project’s performance against the established objectives and indicators. We also provide recommendations and suggestions for improvement and optimization.
Communication: We facilitate effective communication between the owner, contractor, and other stakeholders to keep everyone informed and aligned throughout the project, applying partnering principles and holding alignment sessions. We use various platforms, such as meetings, websites, and online project management systems to share information and updates. Our approach employs clear, concise, and consistent communication.
Problem Solving: In the face of unforeseen issues, we leverage our expertise to propose effective solutions using techniques such as root cause analysis, collaboration, and brainstorming to analyze and resolve problems. We also implement corrective and preventive actions to avoid recurrence and improve performance.
Selecting the right Owner’s Engineer team is critical to the success of alternative delivery projects. Associated Engineering’s leadership, expertise, and guidance has made the difference on the successful delivery of many major projects.
As we work closely with project owners, we make significant contributions to create safe, efficient, and sustainable transportation systems. These systems not only facilitate smoother commutes, but also stimulate economic growth by improving access to jobs and services, and the movement of goods.
About the Author:
Jim Zagas, RET, PL (Eng.) is Vice President, Transportation and has over 30 years of experience delivering highway infrastructure. He has effectively managed large teams of engineering and technical professionals on complex, multi-year transportation assignments. Jim has been a project leader on many large-scale transportation projects.
Cian McDermott’s journey to become a civil engineer and now Manager of the Civil Infrastructure group in our Niagara-on-the-Lake office, began many years ago in his native Ireland. From an early age, Cian was always interested in construction and how things were put together. He recalls that his favourite toy as a child was the construction building set, Meccano.
As a high school student, Cian worked on construction sites and built houses every summer. Cian recalls, “One early morning on a wet and windy summer day, we had a full day ahead of us pouring concrete foundations. However, before we could begin, we waited 30 minutes for the civil engineer to arrive and sign off on the foundation subbase. Eventually, the engineer arrived, approved the foundation, and drove away. I then had to shovel concrete for the next 12 hours in the rain. This was the moment that I decided I wanted to become a civil engineer.”
Cian shares that his family has always been a positive influence on him. His parents taught him the value of working hard, and always balancing work with life. Cian tells us, “My dad managed our football teams when I was growing up. Through sports, he taught me about teamwork, looking out for your friends, and having fun.”
In 2010, Cian emigrated to Canada and began his career at Associated Engineering as a junior site engineer. Cian says, “I liked that Associated was a mid-sized firm competing with much larger companies. The range of projects that Associated was completing was of particular interest to me. The company has provided me with the framework and mentorship to succeed.”
“The culture at Associated is a great fit for my personality and skills.”
The first Associated project Cian worked on was the Avenue Road Watermain in Toronto, under the supervision of Mark Belanger (Division Manager, Infrastructure). Cian remembers how Mark always made himself available to answer questions and walk him through the thought process of his designs, which Cian has always appreciated. Cian advises, “The watermain was located in a completely different, busy urban environment from what I was used to working on in Ireland. The Avenue Road Watermain remains my most memorable project for its complexity and large-scale, and the opportunities it provided to me as a young professional.”
In the first ten years of his Associated career, Cian describes he has had the opportunity to work on many challenging and interesting projects.
“I’ve designed large diameter watermains through urban and rural settings, completed the design of large diameter sanitary infrastructure with microtunnel technologies, and worked as a contract administrator, resident engineer, and project manager.”
Cian tells us, “I am grateful to work for a company that provides young aspiring engineers with the opportunities to develop their skills, while working on complex projects and getting exposure to collaborating with contractors and clients.” Cian enjoys the diversity and range of projects that can be experienced as a civil engineer and how no two days are the same in consulting engineering.
Now, as a manager, Cian believes it is important that all members of the team feel that their opinions and ideas are being heard and considered. “There are many different personalities involved with every project, so it’s important to understand each team member’s strengths and passions and position everyone to generate the best results for the project and client. It’s important to foster a working environment that allows everyone on the team to flourish and feel they are making a significant contribution to the project.”
Cian tell us that mentoring staff is extremely important and young staff receive guidance and have a go-to person to help them daily. “In my opinion, from a learning perspective, the pandemic was the hardest on our newly-hired graduates, as they missed the office culture and that opportunity to learn from being around other engineers and staff.”
Cian advises young people entering consulting engineering to keep an open mind and be open to any learning opportunity that comes their way.
“Communication is key – the more the better. If you need help, reach out. Also, be a team player and listen, as there is always something to be learned from others. Lastly, be accountable for the work you are assigned and complete.”
Outside of work, Cian enjoys spending time with his family and friends, playing sports, cooking, attending sporting events, and travelling the world.
The month of Movember when we raise awareness about men’s health issues has come and gone! We’re very thankful to everyone who participated, donated, grew a Mo’, had a health conversation, went in for their annual health check, and in any other way supported this important cause. With the tremendous support given to our Movember Teams across the country, collectively we have raised over $45,000 (and counting). This includes a generous corporate donation of over $13,000. We’re very proud of our Movember network of 188 participants and the impact everyone’s efforts are and will have on our communities and men’s health in Canada!
The first episode of AE Live features a discussion on new beginnings with our guest Don Kennedy.
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