excavate at Major Mackenzie and West Robinson Creek to
drive the bridge foundation. To accomplish this, Powell built
a frame that enabled operators to keep the piles in location
while being driven.
“This was one of the more complex parts to the project,”
said Gizzo. “We pre-drilled the hole and were able to pound
the pre-drilled hole with a frame built up to ensure that
everything stayed in line as we drove the pile into position.
This was certainly one of the biggest challenges that we had
to solve.”
Another challenge was related to the work done at West
Robinson Creek after the Highway 427 northbound lane and
the southbound lane at Robinson Creek bridge, and retaining
wall were poured. Prior to the girders being placed, Powell
was required to install scour protection – mostly blind – to
protect against the washout of the pier from the creek that
it was situated next to; all within a tight three-day schedule.
“So we ended up double shifting our crews working at
night and basically had three guys communicating between
themselves – a guy on the ground, a guy standing up top and
the crane operator – in order to get this job done successfully
and on time,” said Gizzo.
The obstacles
For the deep foundation portion of the project, the company
was required to complete multiple shoring systems as per the
structural footing for the bridge abutment, which the company
had designed by Safe Roads Engineering Inc. to ensure
that the footing was not obstructed. Certain shoring systems
GREAT CANADIAN PROJECTS
featured a structure with a brace coming off the existing footing
that allowed the contractor to excavate, pour the footing
and then remove the structure, after which they were able to
continue erecting their work.
“The thing that we are most
proud of in regard to this project
was in being able to do all of
those structures with only a few
machines and a small – but skilled
– workforce.”
– Carmine Gizzo, Powell Foundations
The work done by Powell was also impacted because they
were installing structures along an existing roadway in a
heavily populated area. Fortunately, the majority of the project
was off the main railway tracks and traffic rarely posed
an issue, aside from crossings that were more sensitive sites,
such as at Langstaff Road & Rainbow Creek Precast Culvert
and at Major Mackenzie Drive over West Robinson Creek.
“Whenever a freight train would pass, we would have to
stop, stand down and sit so to not impede the tracks and to
give the train the right of way,” said Gizzo. “We had to demonstrate
that we could listen while we worked and were able
to stop immediately as soon as the trains needed us to. Over
BARTIN PIPE & PILING SUPPLY LTD.
1989 2019 30th
We carry a full line of 23/8" to 48" OD, and offer
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6835 Glenmore Trail S.E. | Calgary, AB T2C 2S2 | Phone: 403-279-7473 | Fax: 403-279-2755
Toll-free 1-800-661-7473 | info@bartinpipe.com | www.bartinpipe.com
PILING CANADA 39
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