The Quill Lake Bridge replacement project, led by Walker Projects Inc, a division of MBC Group in collaboration with the RM of Lakeside No. 338, has revitalized transportation infrastructure in Quill Lake, Saskatchewan. This incredible project faced multiple challenges however its successful outcome has brought immense benefits to the local communities. Read on to learn how this infrastructure development transforms connectivity and fosters community resilience.
The Quill Lake Bridge played a vital role in connecting Quill Lake and Wynyard, facilitating seamless travel and supporting the local agricultural industry. Unfortunately, the bridge was washed out due to unprecedented high lake levels caused by heavy rainfalls before 2014. This disruption not only inconvenienced residents but also posed challenges to local agriculture.
Recognizing the importance of restoring this essential link, the RM of Lakeside No. 338 partnered with the Saskatchewan Provincial Disaster Assistance Program (PDAP) to engage MBC Group as the Prime Consultant for the Quill Lake Bridge replacement project.
Serving as the Prime Consultant, MBC assumed various roles to ensure a seamless and successful execution of the project. Leading technologist, Troy Libke highlighted the collaborative efforts involved: "Working closely with CIMA Canada, we provided expert structural design and coordinated with the road project design, ensuring a cohesive solution." After subcontracting CIMA Canada to handle the structural design of the new bridge and provide construction monitoring support, MBC Group’s team provided guidance on civil engineering queries, ensuring a robust and sustainable design.
MBC provided comprehensive project management services, overseeing and coordinating all aspects of the project. This included facilitating productive meetings between the bridge and road project engineering and construction teams. Additionally, MBC led the permit application process, liaising with relevant authorities such as the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO), Saskatchewan Watershed Authority (WSA), and the Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure.
MBC Group conducted regular site visits at crucial milestones during construction, documenting progress, and facilitating effective communication between the structural engineer, client, and the construction team at Harbuilt Construction. Harbuilt’s partnership with MBC helped improve construction methodology which ultimately helped overcome the challenges of working in fast-flowing and directionally changing 3m deep waters. Troy says, “This bridge was the only link between these two massive lakes, so a wind direction change from east to west or vice versa changed the direction of flow, and the flow was significant and swift! I saw more than one innovation that this company used to overcome working in deep, swiftly flowing water and to span the gap between bridge sections. They further found ways to incorporate some of the old abutments into the new design, saving significant costs by avoiding the use of cofferdams to hold back and pump out water during construction.” This meticulous approach ensured that any issues were promptly addressed, contributing to the project's overall success.
Despite encountering unforeseen challenges during construction, the Quill Lake Bridge replacement project was completed approximately one month ahead of schedule. Troy Libke highlighted the project's resilience: "Late changes in abutment wall materials and construction methodology significantly reduced the construction period, allowing for completion of both the road and bridge projects before winter freeze-up." While the project incurred a net minor budget overrun of approximately $36K (2.6 %) due to modifications, the enhanced efficiency and early completion far outweighed the cost deviation.
The successful completion of the Quill Lake Bridge replacement stands as a testament to the community's spirit, the expertise of the project team, and the commitment to delivering infrastructure that supports economic growth and connectivity. The revitalized bridge ensures uninterrupted access between Quill Lake and Wynyard, fostering social cohesion and opening new avenues for local agriculture. As Troy Libke aptly stated, "The Quill Lake Bridge replacement project has addressed immediate transportation needs and prepared the communities for future growth. It is an investment in the resilience and prosperity of the region."
The Quill Lake Bridge replacement project has successfully transformed a low, washed-out timber bridge into a resilient and robust concrete deck bridge raised by 1.8m to ensure future washouts do not occur, protecting the investment. This achievement ensures uninterrupted connectivity between Quill Lake and Wynyard, benefiting the local communities and supporting the growth of the agricultural sector. On a recent follow-up Tenie Shoettler, the Acting Administrator for the RM says “People are really happy with (the Bridge replacement), Council and grader operators say it looks good and is doing well. (It’s) handled farm equipment wonderfully this spring…everyone is very pleased with the work that was done.”
With collaborative efforts, effective project management, and a commitment to excellence, the Quill Lake Bridge replacement project exemplifies the power of infrastructure development in creating lasting positive impacts for communities in Quill Lake, Saskatchewan.
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