The $1.5 million Heart Creek Bridge is an 18-metre box beam structure on Highway 6 near Facquier. The project included creek bed improvements and channelization, establishing a temporary detour, removal of the old multi-plate culvert, driving piles for abutments, reinforced concrete abutment construction, erection of box beam stringers, cast-in-place deck and parapets, and road approach work.
Concern for the environment was a major component of this project. The main objective was to replace an existing culvert that had a large drop-off at the outlet which prevented fish passage. With the restoration of the creek channel, Kokanee salmon are now able to reach the upper reaches of Heart Creek to spawn. Water was pumped around the site to prevent siltation during the installation of the riprap and spawning gravel.
Binnie administered the construction contract. Binnie crews surveyed the site, coordinated with the contractor for approvals and permits, performed quality assurance functions for the bridge and roadworks, prepared monthly progress payments to the contractor using PES, wrote weekly progress reports for the project team informed, and negotiated final payment for some post-contract disputes. Binnie’s Ministry Representative was on site for the major components of the work such as pile driving, concrete pours, re-bar inspection, girder erection. This model worked well, keeping the costs down for the Ministry, and ensuring thorough inspection of the work by our project assistant.
Construction was completed in November 2015. Binnie’s crews have worked extensively in and around Prince George. Binnie has operated a permanent office in the city since 2012.
