INNOVATION July-August 2012

2011 2012 PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS

Hydrokinetic River Turbine Clean Current Power Systems has designed, manufactured and tested a 12kW hydrokinetic river turbine. This turbine is the smallest of the intended product family. Larger machines of 2.5 m in diameter with a rated power output of 33 kW, and 3.5 m in diameter with a rated output of 60 kW will be built and deployed in subsequent years. This technology can be deployed in rivers that were not previously exploitable using traditional hydroelectric technologies due to their very low head. Rivers with velocities of 3 knots (1.5 m/s) or more and depths of 3 m or more can now be used to generate significant amounts of electrical energy. This technology is ideally suited to communities that are currently serviced by diesel generators. Design: Clean Current Power Systems. Professionals involved: Rick Metheral PEng, Ken Murray PEng, Mihai Platon PEng, Milen Raychev PEng, E Mete Sireli PEng, Russell Stothers PEng.

64 th Street and 36 th Avenue Underpass

The scope of work for this project included construction of two underpasses simultaneously: the first is located at 64 th Street East where street intersects with the BC Railway Company rail tracks, and the second is located east of 64 th Street, where the rail track intersects 36th Avenue. The structures were engineered precast, pre- stressed concrete I-girders with concrete decks supported by piled foundations.Each underpass consisted of two 36 m spans, carrying two 3.5 mwide lanes. Harsh environmental impact was mitigated by advice from external environmental monitors, and reuse of materials for backfill increased the project’s environmental stewardship. The project mitigated the challenges of multiple stakeholder needs, was responsive to public expectations and managed the surrounding work

zones while delivering a high-quality product under budget. Owner: Ministry of Transportation. Engineers: Sandwell Engineering. General Contractor: Graham Construction and Engineering Inc. Photo: www.peakexperienceimagery.com.

Highway 37A Emergency Response and Reconstruction Project

Emergency works construction were required for the Highway 37A Bitter Creek Bridge near Stewart during the September 2011 flood event. The existing bridge foundation washed out during the storm leaving part of the bridge in the Bitter Creek channel. Construction included building a temporary bridge on top of the remaining concrete spans to allow traffic in and out of Stewart within a week following the event. Subsequently, a more semipermanent detour bridge was installed for use during construction of the preferred permanent structure. A diverse team of engineers and contractors was mobilized to complete this project quickly and efficiently. The team included personnel from the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, DWB Consulting Services (hydrotechnical), Golder Associates (geotechnical), Formula Contractors (construction), McElhanney Consulting Services (surveying), and others.

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