THE CHRONICLE HERALD SATURDAY, JULY 20, 2013 I1

3091592 Nova Scotia Limited Aberdeen Paving Limited Absolute Traffi c Services Limited Acklands-GraingerAggregate Equipment (Atlantic) Ltd. Allnorth Consultants Ltd Allstar Rebar (Nova Scotia) Ltd. Allterrain Contracting Inc. ALPA Equipment Company Ltd. Alva Construction Limited AMEC Environment & Infrastructure Archibald Drilling & Blasting (1986) Ltd.ARMTEC Limited Arrow Construction Products Ltd. Atlantic Canada One Call Atlantic Explosives Ltd. Atlantic Industries Limited Atlantic Road Construction & Paving Ltd Atlantic Tractors & Equipment Ltd. Atlas Copco Mining & Rock Excavation Technique Canada Axis Mobility Limited B. Spicer Construction Ltd. Barrett Enterprises Limited

Basin Contracting Limited Bell and Grant Insurance Bell Mobility Inc. BERPIC Inc. Bird-Stairs Black & McDonald Ltd. Bluewave Energy Bourque Security Services NS Brenntag Canada Inc. Brycon Construction Limited Canada CulvertCasey Concrete Ltd. CBCL Limited Chapman Bros. Construction Ltd. Classic Freight Systems Ltd. Conestoga-Rovers & Associates Ltd. Conrad Bros. Limited Consbec Inc. Drilling & Blasting Costin Paving & Contracting Limited Craig Manufacturing Limited Creighton Rock Drill Ltd. Cumberland Paving & Contracting Ltd. D. W. Matheson & Sons Contracting Ltd. Dexter Construction Company Ltd

Direct Traffi c Control Inc. Dyno Nobel Limited Earthmover Atlantic Ltd. East Coast Capital Inc Eastern Fence Erectors Eastern Infrastructure Inc. Elmsdale Landscaping Limited EXP Fairley and Stevens Ford Lincoln Fraser & Hoyt Insurance Ltd. Gary Parker Excavating Ltd. Gateway Insurance BrokersGateway Materials Ltd. GE Canada Equipment Financing GP GEMTEC Limited General Liquids Canada GENIVAR Inc. GEOCON Atlantic Ltd. Gillis Truckways Inc. (Trailer Sales) Grant Thornton Graymont NB Guarantee Company of North America Hertz Equipment Rental Higgins Construction

Holcim (Canada) Inc. Howard E. Little Excavating Limited HSBC Bank Canada Industrial Cold Milling Inspec-Sol Inc. IronPlanetIrving Oil Commercial GP J. R. Eisener Contracting Ltd. K & M Inspection Consultants Ltd. L. S. W. Wear Parts Limited Lafarge Canada Inc. Leica Geosystems Ltd. Lepage Equipment & Parts Ltd. Liebherr Canada Lockhart Truck Center LVM / Maritime Testing LimitedMac Williams Engineering Limited Maccaferri Canada Ltd. Mackays Truck & Trailer Ltd. Maritime Fence Ltd. Maritime Hydroseed Maritime Road Recycling Inc Maritime Testing (1985) Ltd. Marsh Canada Limited

Martin Marietta Materials Canada Ltd.McAsphalt Industries Ltd. McLennan Sales Division of EMCO Ltd. McLeod Safety Services Ltd.McNally Construction Inc. Metso Minerals Canada Inc. MFE Manufacturing Inc. Miller Tirecraft Modern Enterprises Ltd. Multiserve Petroleum Equipment Ltd. Municipal Ready-Mix Ltd. Norquip Supply Ltd North East Truck & Trailer Northeast Equipment Ltd Nova CommunicationsNorthern Construction Inc. Northern Contracting Limited Nova Construction Company Ltd. Nova Enterprises Limited Nova International Ltd. O’Regan’s National Leasing Ocean Contractors Limited Ocean Paving Limited On-Grade Inc. Survey & Machine

Control Systems Ormac Industrial Supply Inc. OSCO Concrete Parts for Trucks Peterbilt Atlantic Pura Vida Financial ServicesR. S. T. Industries Ltd. Reinforced Earth Company Ltd. Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers (Canada) Ltd. Roadtec Inc. Ron Chisholm Hydro Seeding Ltd Roto-Mill Inc. S. W. Weeks Construction Ltd. Sackville Trenching Limited Sancton Equipment Inc.Say it with Stitches Inc. Seaboard/Harmac Transportation Group Shaw Group Limited SMS Equipment Inc.Sojourn Signs Soleno Inc. Source Atlantic South Shore Ready-Mix Stanhope Simpson Insurance Ltd.

Stantec Consulting Ltd. Strescon Ltd. Strictly Sales & Service Inc. Strongco Equipment Limited The Canadian Salt Company Ltd. The Cat Rental Store/Hewitt Rentals Trans East Trailers Ltd. Turf Masters Landscaping Ltd. United Rentals of Canada Inc. Urquhart-MacDonald & Associates V. J. Rice Concrete Ltd. WAJAX EquipmentWallace Equipment Ltd. Weightronic Canada Inc. Wilcraft Concrete Services Will-Kare Paving & Contracting Ltd. Wilson Equipment Ltd. Wolseley Engineered Pipe Group Wolseley Waterworks

2013 NSRBA Membership List2013 NSRBA Membership List

For NSRBA Membership and other information, please call 405-3497For NSRBA Membership and other information, please call 405-3497

www.nsrba.ca

www.nsrba.ca

CUST

OM M

EDIA

FEA

TURE

Nova Scotia Road Builders Association (NSRBA) 2013 Board of Directors: back row (left toright): Bob Bernier, Brian England (former Director), Pam Sullivan, Chris Meunier and CCA/CICCrepresentative John Flemming. Middle row (left to right): Stephen Weeks, President Andrew Lake, Office Manager Carol Ingraham, Vice President Greg MacDonald and Phil Sullivan.Front row (left to right): Mark Underhill, Immediate Past President Donald Chisholm, ExecutiveDirector Grant Feltmate and Calvin Flight. Absent: Dave Wilson Contributed

It’s like a typical household con-versation at the kitchen table.One partner points out that theroof is leaking and in need ofrepair. There’s no money to fix it,says the other, because the mort-gage is due. Both are correct. It’sa dilemma from which there’s noeasy escape.

The same kind of catch-22 isfacing municipalities across thecountry with respect to infra-structure funding. Their roads aredeteriorating and the traditionalsource of revenue, property tax,is a small pot with not enough leftover in it to pay for new or evenmaintain existing infrastructure.

How did things get this way?Andrew Lake, president of the

Nova Scotia Road Builders Asso-ciation, says there’s three mainreasons: governments are runningdeficits and not allocating enoughfunding to infrastructure, whichcompounds the problem annually;existing infrastructure is aging;and the Feds are imposing muchhigher standards for water andsewer, which is leaving municipal-ities scrambling to upgrade theirassets, with scarce fundingaround to do so.

Overall, the infrastructurespending deficit in Nova Scotia ishuge. Lake points out that a 2009Department of Transportationand Infrastructure Renewal (TIR)report indicated the provinceneeded to spend 400 million overeach of the next 10 years to getthe system in decent shape.

The TIR budget in 2013 wasabout 246 million.

“This is a significant problemfor municipalities,” says Lake.“Infrastructure investment isfunded by tax dollars. Many muni-cipalities have a finite source ofrevenue from their tax base andthese infrastructure projects canpose a significant burden forthem. Municipalities look to theprovince for assistance and theprovince looks to the federalgovernment. Many municipalitiesare looking for funding arrange-ments in order to fund infrastruc-ture investments.”

CBRM $300 million capital plan

The Cape Breton Regional Muni-cipality (CBRM) is trying a novelapproach. In April 2013 it puttogether a pitch to present toOttawa for a funding formula tohelp solve the area’s huge infra-structure problems. Mayor CecilClarke has developed a300-million dollar plan for fixingroads, arenas and other infra-structure over five years.

CBRM’s pitch calls for thefederal government to pay 50 percent of the municipality’s five-year-plan with the province andthe municipality each paying 25per cent or $75 million.

Clarke is arguing that CBRM isthe only city in Atlantic Canadawith double digit unemploymentand at the same time is beingrequired by regulations to up-grade $454 million in wastewater

CBRM taking an innovative approachMunicipality thinking outside the boxto fund infrastructure investmentsBy Ken CashinCustom Media Writer

See INNOVATIVE / 11

Shubenacadie River Bridge ProjectThe Shubenacadie River bridges, which accommodate more than 20,000 vehicles daily, are being replaced. The project is expected to be completed by late 2015.

Contributed

I2 SATURDAY, JULY 20, 2013 THE CHRONICLE HERALD

WEEKSWEEKS“Serving the Maritimes”

· Asphalt Paving - Commercial & Residential

· Municipal Sewer & Water Installation

· Excavation & Commercial Site Development

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Proud Member of the Nova Scotia Road Builders Association

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Tel: 902-755-3777 · Fax: 902-755-2580

Presenting your 2013 award winners:

WCB Shield Award:Calvin Flight (IndustrialCold Milling), presentedby Stuart MacLean,CEO of WCB.

11th Annual NSRBAGolf TournamentWinners: BasinContracting’s team ofPam Sullivan, CurtisIsenor, Jeff Sullivan &Brad Scott.

H.W.L. Doane TrophyWinner: Jesse Spicer(B. SpicerConstruction),presented by PamSullivan (BasinContracting).

61st Curling BonspielWinners: Phil Sullivan(AMEC), Albert Gibson(Casey Concrete -absent), Neill Ritchie(John Deere ULC), andGeorge Cooper(Elmsdale Landscaping- absent). Trophypresented by theHonorable StephenMcNeil.

61st Curling BonspielRunners Up: JohnFlemming (OceanContractors), RaymondBenere (BasinContracting), DanChurch (Bomag) andSteve McCall (absent).Trophy presented by theHonorable JamieBaillie.

Allister MacDonald and JohnChisholm both grew up in theheavy equipment industry, so itwas no surprise when these dis-tinguished road builders wererecognized as honorary membersof the Nova Scotia Road BuildersAssociation.

Members had voted unanim-ously for MacDonald andChisholm, and there was muchapplause when they each accep-ted their membership at the 66thannual NSRBA general meeting inJanuary. An honourary member-ship may be extended by theBoard of Directors to “any personin recognition of distinguishedservice in the field of road con-struction.”

NSRBA President Andrew Lakenoted that MacDonald has atten-ded every single annual generalmeeting since the inception of theNSRBA back in 1947 — when hedrove his father to the very firstone.

Allister MacDonald was just 12years old when he began hiscareer in heavy construction.Working for his father as a water-boy, he was responsible for carry-ing the pail and dipper to each ofthe labourers.

MacDonald grew up in theindustry — constantly learningand improving his skills — andultimately took the reins of hisfather’s business: Alva Construc-tion Limited.

A lifelong road builder, he’sbeen successful in bidding, secur-ing, and building many of theroads and bridges throughout theprovince. From coordinatingchallenging projects along theCabot Trail to twinning largeportions of Highway 104, Mac-Donald made a name for himselfby consistently building struc-tures on the leading edge of tech-nology and design.

Today, he co-owns Alva Con-struction Limited with sons A.G.and Allan — making them thethird generation to own and oper-ate the family business. When heretires someday, he will be re-membered in the industry assomeone who always ran well-organized, efficient projects, andalways questioned whether theremay be a better way of doingthings.

Lake commended Chisholm forhis outstanding accomplishments,which include building many ofthe twinned sections of the Trans-Canada Highway through Cum-berland, Colchester, and Antigon-ish Counties.

MacDonald, Chisholm givenhonourary memberships

By Heather Laura ClarkeCustom Media Writer

John Chisholm

“What I have noticed is they don’trun with an issue of

one particular member — it has to benefit the whole

association.”John Chisholm

Honorary lifetime member,Nova Scotia Road Builders

Association

See MEMBERSHIPS / 6

THE CHRONICLE HERALD SATURDAY, JULY 20, 2013 I3

Construction is underway to buildan interchange that will helpimprove the safety of motoristson Highway 125.

Project Engineer Greg Mac-Donald with Alva ConstructionLtd. says Highway 125 is “ex-tremely busy” and is used bycommuters as a bypass to down-town Sydney.

“It’s going to improve trafficflow, and the general safety of thetraveling public,” says MacDon-ald.

Highway 125 was built in 1970,and encircles the west side ofSydney Harbour. Currently, it’s atwo-lane highway. It’s being con-verted into a four-lane narrowmedian highway between SydneyRiver and Grand Lake, and thenew interchange will improveaccess to locations off the high-way -- including the Cape BretonRegional Hospital.

“I can only imagine it’s going tobe better for the public, going fromone lane to two lanes,” says Mac-Donald. “Being able to pass slow-moving vehicles can really improveyour whole travel experience.”

So far, two structures havebeen completed. One is an under-pass structure at the intersectionwith Alexandra Street (Exit 7)that carries traffic over the newly-twinned highway. The second isan overpass at the George Street(Exit 8) intersection that formsthe Eastbound lane of Highway125.

MacDonald says the majority ofthe 8.5 km subgrade work will becompleted late this summer.Before 2013 comes to a close, hesays they are hopeful to havecompleted the third intersection/structure — that has yet to bestarted — which will link Mem-bertou to the province’s highwayand nearby reserve lands.

There is also paving work tocomplete, which will include theconstruction of a roundabout atthe Grand Lake Road intersec-tion. MacDonald says all of thework is schedule to be completedby next summer, and that it’sexpected to greatly improve high-way travel.

“It will make for an easier com-mute for drivers, with more ac-cess points off the highway,” saysMacDonald. “That that will inher-ently result in a safer drive foreveryone.”

Motorists canexpect safer travelson Highway 125

By Heather Laura ClarkeCustom Media Writer

Construction is underway to build an interchange that will helpimprove the safety of motorists on Highway 125.

Contributed

More 2013 Award Winners:

Second Annual NSUPA Softball Tournament, June 22, 2013

Above: Presentation picture (Left to right): Back row: Don Walls (Enfield Le-gion President), Mike Deering(NSUPA), Pat Adams(Enfield Legion Events Co-ordinator), Mark Underhill (NSUPA). Front Row: Casey Underhill

Below: Winning team (Left to right): Back row: Ashley Whitehead, Travis White-head, Cody Roland, Sim Robart, Mike Deering, Ellis Carrol. Front row: Ter-rance Bona, Brent Keough, Chris Isenor, Julie Hughes, Rob Kay.

NSRBA’s10thannualHockeyChallengeWinningTeam, theSouthAtlanticCats.

NSRBA 10th AnnualNSRBA HockeyChallenge Cup Winners:the South Atlantic Cats.Presented to SteveMackenzie of OceanContractors by MayorMike Savage

I4 SATURDAY, JULY 20, 2013 THE CHRONICLE HERALD

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In the minds of many people, roadbuilding is old school. Typically,the images that first come tomind are those of dump trucks,hot asphalt and shovels. Whilethese mainstays have not disap-peared from road building — asector that is 160 member com-panies strong in Nova Scotia —the industry is changing. Likeothers, it’s always looking forways to improve efficiencies incosts and energy.

Road builders are also utilizingnew and creative ways to reducetheir environmental footprint.Like other long-time industrieshere, road building is going green,embracing new technologies and,

in general, forging ahead.For example, paving companies

are switching to cleaner-burning,more efficient fuels such as natur-al gas for the process of heatingup asphalt.

One such company is CostinPaving & Contracting Ltd. inAmherst, N.S. Owner Bill Costinhas shifted from fuel oil to naturalgas at the plant and also investedin a new computer-controlledblending system, allowing for amore consistent and efficientblending of material.

Costin converted to natural gasin 2007 and his was the first busi-ness in Amherst’s industrial parkto do so. The changeover andpurchase of a natural gas burnercost $75,000, which Costin sayshe recouped through operational

savings within only a year.“There’s just so many advant-

ages,” he says, of the alternativefuel source. “It’s quieter, burnscleaner and more efficiently,there’s no parts to wear out likenozzles or pumps, no storagetanks to worry about, no spills, noodor, and no maintenance. It’sjust a win-win all around.”

Natural gas burning is 90 percent efficient, compared to at best75 per cent with other fuels, likefurnace oil, and is also cheaper.

Costin says his company’s useof a computer-controlled blendingsystem also saves money, as itallows for better quality controland consistency with the asphaltmix. A sophisticated piece ofequipment, for troubleshootingoperations it communicates on-

line to the manufacturing plant inFlorida where it’s made.

“It allows you to get exactlywhat you want,” says Costin.“That’s very important with as-phalt because if you have to do itover, it can be very costly — youhave to get it right.”

Road builders today are utiliz-ing various other technologiesand ways of stretching a dollar,such as warm mix asphalt. Withthis method the asphalt is mixedat a lower temperature, which, inaddition to reducing fuel costs,creates less odor and is easier onthe environment.

Costin says the road buildingindustry is well suited to environ-mental efforts, as asphalt is 100per cent recyclable. He points outthat companies today are turningto things like reclaimed asphaltpavement (RAP). With this pro-cess a paving train consisting of amill, re-blender, and paving ma-chine recycles an existing roadand uses it, plus new materials, tomake a new one.

The RAP method can build anew road using up to 20 per centrecycled material. The processsaves on new asphalt cement andalso reduces the costs of truckingmaterial to the construction site.

“Every truck load can be re-cycled and reused,” says Costin.“That’s the way it’s going, there’shuge potential for savings there.”

Another method used today isthe grinding up of roof shingles tohelp make asphalt. The processsaves on virgin liquid asphalt andreduces the amount of shinglesthat end up in the dump.

Costin says road builders aredoing whatever they can to staycompetitive.

“The industry might seem oldstyle, but we’re moving ahead andtrying new things,” says Costin.“There’s more stuff coming out allthe time.”

Amherst now home to a natural gas-fuelled asphalt plantBy Ken CashinCustom Media Writer

Costin Paving & Contracting Ltd. is an example of a paving company that is switching to cleaner-burning, more efficient fuels such as natural gas for the process ofheating up asphalt. Contributed

Road builders are utilizing new and creative ways to reduce their environmental footprint. Contributed

“It’s quieter, burnscleaner and more

efficiently, there’s noparts to wear out

like nozzles orpumps, no storage

tanks to worryabout, no spills, noodor, and no main-tenance. It’s just awin-win all around.”

Bill CostinOwner, Costin Paving &

Contracting Ltd.

THE CHRONICLE HERALD SATURDAY, JULY 20, 2013 I5

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One of the majorroad building pro-jects on the horizonin Nova Scotia is theestimated $150 mil-lion MacdonaldBridge SuspendedSpan RedeckingProject.The work will see the bridge’sroad deck, floor beams, trusses,and suspender ropes replaced in2015-16.

Being done to extend the life ofthe bridge and reduce mainten-ance, the job will go out to tenderin 2013 and on-site work willbegin in earnest in 2015 with thefirst panel being replaced some-time in March 2015. Engineeringbegan in 2010 and the project willbe complete in 2016.

Known locally as “the oldbridge,” the Angus L. Macdonaldsuspension bridge crossing Hali-fax Harbour opened in April 1955and is one of the province’s mosttravelled and recognizable piecesof roadway infrastructure. Itcarries approximately 13.6 millioncrossings per year.

The Macdonald Bridge has seenmany upgrades over the years,including modernization and theaddition of a third lane in 1999,but its deck is nearing the end ofits functional life.

“The bridge remains safe, butafter 60 years the deck is wearingout and needs to be replaced,”says Jon Eppell, senior engineerfor Halifax Harbour Bridges(HHB). “When complete, much ofthe infrastructure will be new,leaving the original towers, maincables and anchorages on thesuspended spans.”

The project — which will alsoraise the bridge’s road deck byabout 2.1 meters, to increaseheadroom for ships entering theharbour — will be the largest ofits kind in Nova Scotia since thenearby MacKay Bridge opened in1970.

Many unique engineering chal-

lenges will be met on the project,which will be conducted largelyat night to minimize impacts totransportation. Because of insuffi-cient capacity to handle the extratraffic during peak periods on thenearest alternative, the MacKayBridge, the Macdonald’s redeck-ing project will see its deck re-placed during 10.5 hour closuresat night, 10 or 20 meters at a time.

Throughout the deck replace-ment the bridge will remain openduring weekdays to vehiculartraffic, but close weekdays from 7p.m. until 5:30 a.m. and severalfull weekend closures will beneeded for deck segments thatcannot be replaced in 10.5 hours.

The work on the Dartmouthside will involve a lifting gantrypositioned on suspender ropesand existing panels being loweredto a barge in the harbour, withnew panels being lifted into posi-tion in the same manner. On theHalifax side the deck panels willbe replaced in 10 m lengths overland and brought in by truckrather than on a barge.

Also, due to safety concernsand space requirements neces-sary for construction, the bridge’s

sidewalk and bike lane will beremoved before the main workbegins. A new sidewalk and bikelane will be added as the newpanels are installed and will beopen when the project is com-plete.

Other challenges are related toweather and climate, such as thehigh winds, salt air, and fog inHalifax.

Eppell says the project willrepresent only the second time inthe world that the suspendedspan of a suspension bridge hasbeen replaced at night and openduring the day. The first time wason the Lions Gate Bridge in Van-couver in the late 1990s. TheLions Gate Bridge is the sisterbridge to the Macdonald Bridge,also designed by P.L. Pratley. HHBis working with the same bridgeengineering firm, Buckland andTaylor, as was used on the LionsGate redecking project.

“It’s a very challenging andinteresting project,” says Eppell.“It’s like something you wouldexpect to see in a documentaryon the Discovery Channel. We’vebeen planning this for many yearsand we’re very excited.”

‘The old bridge’ getting a new lookBy Ken CashinCustom Media Writer

The Macdonald Bridge Sus-pended Span Redecking Pro-ject is expected to be com-pleted in 2016. Contributed

MacDonald Bridge HERALD FILE / CHRISTIAN LAFORCE

The Macdonald Bridge Suspended Span Redecking Project is the largest bridge-related develop-ment in Halifax since the opening of the MacKay Bridge in 1970.

HERALD FILE / ERIC WYNNE

Halifax’s Macdonald Bridge set to undergo a redecking project

I6 SATURDAY, JULY 20, 2013 THE CHRONICLE HERALD

www.nsrba.ca

NOVA SCOTIANOVA SCOTIAROAD BUILDERS ROAD BUILDERS

ASSOCIATIONASSOCIATIONPast Presidents

Dr. H.W.L. Doane*D.F. MacIssac*W.P. Bickle*G.C. Hault*O.H. Norman*M.H. McManus*R.S. Parsons*F.C. Hudson*J.D Harnett*H.H. Latimer*D.R. MacKay*W.W. Spicer*L.H. Langley*H.W. Doane Jr.A.O. Parsons*D.W. LatimerJ.S. Stevens*J. A. Domville*C.A. Maier*R.K. Chappell*L.D. Hopkins*P.W. Ross*J.T. Douglas*F.A. Martell*R.E. BayardA.M. DechmanR.F. Titus*R.G. SteedJ.G. Flemming

S.W. Weeks*Dave MacKennaVic Lunn*John ChisholmDan Arbing*Eric BarkerHaluk AlemdarAubrey MartellTim McSorleyGerry Holle*Elmer ThomasFred BenereJack EisenerGreg BurkeD.J. CampbellCecil VanceRon LegereGary RudolphBarry HunterJohn FlemmingWally CaldwellCarl BaillieDon MailletPaul WhiteKen ThomasBrad ScottRon DunnDonald Chisholm*Deceased

As evidenced by thesuccess of the NovaScotia Departmentof Education’s Co-Operative Educationinitiative, there’s ahuge demand in theprovince for co-opwork placement pro-grams that allowstudents to gethands-on experiencein and test drive po-tential careers.

As part of its co-op expansionefforts, the province has de-veloped and strengthened part-nerships with the Nova ScotiaCommunity College (NSCC) andindustry. One example is theBuilding Futures for Youth (BFY)program, designed to attractyoung people to careers in con-struction.

The program was developed bythe Construction Association ofNova Scotia (CANS) in partner-ship with the N.S. education de-partment — English ProgramServices, N.S. Department ofLabour and Advanced Education— Apprenticeship Division, NSCCand local school boards, and inconsultation with industry andgroups like the road buildersassociation.

Grade 10 and 11 students fromacross the province can applyonline to CANS. Successful ap-plicants attend 80 hours of work-place orientation, safety, andhands on tools training at a localNSCC campus, in preparation fora five-to-seven week, paid sum-mer work placement with a hostof employers in the constructionindustry.

For their participation, studentscan earn high school Co-operativeEducation credits, ConstructionTrades Pre-Apprenticeship hours,NSCC scholarship opportunitiesand, most importantly, they’regiven the opportunity to safelygather information and makeinformed career choices.

Program coordinator AlainLefebvre of CANS says that, con-sidering Nova Scotia’s agingworkforce and the significantnumber of expected new skilledtrades jobs on the horizon, thetiming is excellent for youngpeople looking to enter construc-tion.

“It’s estimated that over thenext decade far more people willbe retiring from than entering theconstruction industry,” he says.“The challenge facing employerswill be to develop and retain

talent, ensuring that we continueto have a skilled and availableworkforce.”

Too often, adds Lefebvre, ca-reers in construction are dis-missed as unskilled and low pay-ing. Nothing could be fartherfrom the truth, he says.

“There’s potential for excellentcompensation,” he says. “Wages inthe skilled trades are on average21 per cent higher than other NovaScotia wages. In fact, a skilledconstruction worker can start offearning a higher salary than thatof a starting police officer, fire-fighter or school teacher.”

Hundreds of different construc-tion occupations are available foryoung people to consider, saysLefebvre. The choices, he pointsout, can range from less skilledlabour to highly skilled occupa-tions like a heavy duty equipmentoperator, a blaster, or a civil en-gineer — all of which requiresubstantial learning and training.

Building Futures for Youthstarted in 2008 as a pilot program,presented to students in highschools across the Halifax Re-gional School Board. In 2009 theprogram was expanded intoChignecto-Central and Cape Bre-ton-Victoria Regional SchoolBoards. In 2010 it grew to encom-pass all eight regional schoolboards.

Since its inception BFY hasprovided opportunities to over400 students from 45 differenthigh schools. Recent alumni fol-low-up has found that 80 per centof participants two years or more

removed from the program havesince found work in construction.

Over 120 employers fromSydney to Yarmouth have hiredstudents through Building Fu-tures for Youth.

“Industry feedback is verypositive,” says Lefebvre. “Manyemployers see it as an opportun-ity to gain a summer employeewho is prepared for work in theindustry, and also as a way toidentify potential future employ-ees and support youth in careerexploration.”

Building Futures for YouthBy Ken CashinCustom Media Writer

The province of Nova Scotia and the Nova Scotia Community College have created the Buildings Futures for Youth program, designed to attract more youth to careers in construction. Contributed

“The challengefacing employers will

be to develop andretain talent, ensur-ing that we continueto have a skilled andavailable workforce.”

Alain LefebvreProgram Coordinator,

Construction Association ofNova Scotia

Chisholm also got an early startin the industry, as he spent muchof his childhood hanging aroundconstruction sites with his father(who owned Chisholm Construc-tion).

At the age of 17, he bought aused bulldozer and started up alittle business building driveways,and digging basements and lawns.He was so successful that hisprojects often interfered with hisschoolwork, but Chisholm contin-ued to dedicate himself to hisbusiness. He soon landed a jobdigging the foundation for theAngus L. Macdonald Library at St.F.X., which he remembers was “abig job at that time.”

Chisholm’s dozer businesscontinued to grow, and today it’sknown as Nova ConstructionCompany Ltd. — employing morethan 250 people during the peakseason.

Nova Construction has beeninvolved in many major projects,including the paving and con-struction of hundreds of kilo-metres of highway in Newfound-land, dams at Wreck Cove in CapeBreton, a major part of the high-way over Cobequid Pass, and theaggregate production at Porcu-pine Mountain near the CansoCauseway at Auld’s Cove.

Chisholm received an Honour-ary Doctor of Laws degree fromSt. Francis Xavier University in2011, and remains actively in-

volved with several local charitiesand community organizations.

President of the NSRBA in1986, Chisholm describes theassociation as one with “a signi-ficant role to play.”

“It deals with government on

behalf of its members and worksfor the betterment of the wholeassociation,” says Chisholm.“What I have noticed is they don’trun with an issue of one particu-lar member — it has to benefitthe whole association.”

MembershipsContinued from I2

Allister MacDonald. Contributed

Here are some of the NSRBAmembers that have particip-ated in the Building Futuresfor Youth program:

- AMEC Environment & Infrastructure- Black & MacDonald- J. W. Bird & Company Limited- Ocean Contractors Ltd.- Dexter Construction- Will-Kare Paving &Contracting Ltd.

Strong support

THE CHRONICLE HERALD SATURDAY, JULY 20, 2013 I7

66 ATLANTIC CENTRAL DRIVE, TRURO. 902-895-1611

INTRODUCING A NEW “WILSON”

TO PAVE THE WAY!

Bill Sanford, CEO of Nova Scotia based SanStone Investments which recently purchased Wilson Equipment, is pleased to introduce Jim Wilson as the new president of Wilson Equipment.

Jim brings the same energy, enthusiasm and can-do attitude to Wilson’s that led to his success in other businesses and community involvement. He founded Career Beacon and Wilson Executive Search. As president of Dalhousie University Alumni association, he led the charge to get Dalhousie University football up and running again.

RELY ON OUR SERVICE • KOMTRAX GPS in all new Komatsu equipment so you can monitor machines on the job anywhere, anytime

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Wilson Equipment has an incredible team of proud Nova Scotians with a reputation for providing top notch service and selling quality equipment to road builders, construction, foresters, mining companies and other industries since 1955.

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New leader. Same commitment to service.

THANK YOU TO OUR EMPLOYEES AND LOYAL CUSTOMERS.

Jim Wilson, President, Wilson Equipment

ledge that will allow them tobecome much more valuable totheir employers,” says Feltmate.“The average attendance has been12 and the feedback from parti-cipants is excellent.”

The 2013 course ran fromMarch 18 to April 12. Trainingtook place at the Nova ScotiaConstruction Safety Associationfacilities and Atlantic Cat. Thisyear a session at Cat Rentals wasconducted on small power toolsand portable equipment used inpaving operations.

Nine participants representingthree companies took part, for120 hours. Participants represen-ted a variety of experience in thepaving industry, including crewforemen, MTV operators, paveroperators, asphalt production,and screed operator.

Tom Gamblin of IndustrialLearning Resources led the in-struction, helped by several oth-ers with decades of experienceand highly respected in the in-dustry.

Feltmate says the course wasdeveloped strictly from an intern-al road building discussion as towhat training was most needed,specific to the industry. Similar

The future of road building inNova Scotia is being shaped bytwo significant trends, which arecausing the industry to take stepsnow to ensure its ongoing suc-cess.

One the one hand the sector isquite healthy, with 5,000 directand 2,500 indirect jobs that gener-ate $375 million in payroll. Theoutlook is also promising, due toinfrastructure renewal programsannounced by federal and provin-cial governments. Labour fore-casting reveals that 40 per cent ofnew jobs in the coming decadewill be in skilled trades or techno-logy.

Counterbalancing all this is thatmany of the skilled trades peoplein the province are nearing retire-ment. The industry is realizingthat if it doesn’t act now to trainpeople to fill the jobs of tomor-row, there won’t be enough quali-fied people here to do the work.

In view of these realities, andspecifically in response to a 2010labour department workforcestudy that identified more trainingas a top priority, the road buildingindustry is taking measures tohead off the forecasted labourshortages. One of the key initiat-ives on this front is the NovaScotia Road Builders Associ-ation’s development of an asphaltlaydown technician’s course,aimed at retaining and developingbetter longer-term employees.

The Asphalt Laydown Techni-cian (ALT) program was firstdelivered in the spring of 2012 andmet with such success that theNSRBA offered it again this yearand plans to keep it going.

ALT was developed proprietar-ily for the NSRBA, which receivedassistance from the N.S. Depart-ment of Labour and AdvancedEducation. The program consistsof two sections: a four-weekclassroom phase followed by asimilar amount of practical exper-ience in the workplace.

The NSRBA’s executive directorGrant Feltmate says the worksegment can vary in duration, asthe course is more focused ontraining for competency than it istime-driven.

“It provides students, whoalready have paving experience,with significant skills and know-

courses, he notes, are offered inother jurisdictions, but the ALTprogram is both unique to theprovince and of very high caliber.He points out that the training isnot entry-level, it’s more forsomeone who shows an interestin working in the paving side ofroad building and is looking for asolid foundation in it.

During the class time parti-cipants receive both technical andsafety training and even learnabout some of the history of roadbuilding and asphalt paving. Theycontinue to work on their practic-al ability during time on a pavingcrew. Once they meet all therequirements they receive certific-ation.

“The quality of the course hasbeen recognized with the Cana-dian Construction AssociationGold Seal Accreditation,” saysFeltmate. “The NSRBA also offersits own certification. This allowsthose who have successfullycompleted the course to receivedocumentation that will allowcurrent or new employers toknow that they’ve had this highlevel training.”

Training a new generationBy Ken CashinCustom Media Writer

The Asphalt Laydown Technician (ALT) program was first de-livered in the spring of 2012 and met with such success thatthe NSRBA offered it again this year and plans to keep it going.

Contributed

TAPA Cat Rescue Society donation ($300). (Left toright: Angela Miller and Ron Legere, NSRBA pastPresident.)

The NSRBA is a proud sponsor of the Turkey Club,a volunteer group dedicated to raising funds soless fortunate families can enjoy a Christmasdinner and a brighter holiday season. For moreinformation please visit www.turkeyclub.org.(Left to right: Ron Leger, past President of theNSRBA and chief organizer of the annual golf andcurling events; Mel Boutilier, Chair of the TurkeyClub and 2012 NSRBA President DonaldChisholm.)

The Tearmann House was the charity selected forthe 2012 AGM silent auction donation ($24,651).

I8 SATURDAY, JULY 20, 2013 THE CHRONICLE HERALD

A Member of the NSRBA

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Road safety has always been atop priority for both the users ofNova Scotia’s roads as well as thepeople who build them. The NovaScotia Road Builders Association(NSRBA) has a long history ofworking with government toensure that the province’s 23,000km of paved roads and 4,100bridges are properly maintained.

The Road Builders associationworks with government to stand-ardize road building processesand develop environmental andsafety regulations. And, everyspring, the NSRBA partners withthe department of Transportationand Infrastructure Renewal (TIR)on a safety campaign aimed ateducating the public on the haz-ards that road crews face whileworking on the province’s road-ways.

While traditionally the safetyefforts in construction and roadbuilding have focused on themotoring public, and in general,today there’s a growing emphasison making all of the built environ-ment safer and more accessible toeveryone who uses it.

Increasingly, the use of techno-logy like Tactile Walking SurfaceIndicators (TWSIs) — sometimescalled detectable warning sur-faces — are being used to helpthe visually impaired with safetyand wayfinding. TWSIs are stand-ardized walking surfaces thatconvey information to peoplewith vision loss through texture,and, occasionally, through sound.

Originally used at crosswalks inJapan and elsewhere, the US andCanada started implementing thetechnology in transportation inthe 1990s. Canada has been intro-ducing TWSIs into the built envir-onment since the early 2000s andin recent years the requirements

for the use of this technologyhave started showing up in pro-vincial and municipal buildingstandards, as supplements tobuilding codes.

Typically, the standards requireTWSIs in prescribed locations,such as on the slopes of pedestri-an curb cuts/curb ramps, exteriorand interior ramps, at the top ofstairs and on landings, and at theedge of rail platforms. TWSIsin-clude both truncated domes andtactile bars.

There are two types: AttentionTWSIs and Guidance TWSIs.

Attention TWSIs, sometimescalled warning TWSIs, call atten-tion to key hazards, such as thestart of a staircase or edge of aplatform in a subway station.

Guidance TWSIs, also knownas wayfinding TWSIs, provideinformation about the direction oftravel through open spaces.They’re designed to guide a per-son on a designated path oftravel.

TWSIs are typically made frominserts — made of metal, rubber,or plastic — or are built directlyinto concrete. To work best, TWS-Is should have a texture that canbe felt underfoot and detected by

a long cane. TWSIs should alsohave beveled edges to decreasethe likelihood of tripping.

Locally, TWSIs have been usedat the corner of Alderney Driveand Portland Street in Dartmouthfor a number of years.

The technology has also beenimplemented at the new BridgeTerminal bus station in Dart-mouth, completed in the fall of2012. TWSIs were installed ateach crosswalk access point andat each bus stop at the terminal.In addition, a directional bar tilewas installed between each TWSIat the bus stops, along both sidesof the terminal platform. This wasdone to improve the accessibilityof the new terminal and helpguide passengers who are blind orvisually impaired.

Tiffany Chase, communicationsadvisor with HRM, says the pro-ject is the first in Nova Scotia toutilize the directional bar tile andthe response has been very posit-ive.

Peter Parsons, manager, pro-grams and services with theCNIB, says the organization re-commends that TWSIs be in-stalled at various public places,such as railway platform edges,

bus shelters, train stations, air-ports, and many others.

The CNIB installed TWSIs at itsVision Rehabilitation Centre ofExcellence on Almon Street inHalifax, which opened last Au-gust. The building has GuidanceTWSIs that indicate to clients thatthey are in line with the stairs orin line with the ramp. The centrealso has Attention TWSIs at thetop of its front steps.

Parsons says TWSIs have alsobeen installed at an intersectionin Bridgewater. He says a CNIBclient had self-advocated for thembecause the curbs there are soblended that it’s very challengingto tell if you’ve stepped out ontothe street.

“TWSIs have a positive impact,”says Parsons. “They increase theindependence and safety of blindand partially sighted people.We’ve had positive feedback fromour clients regarding the TWSIs infront of the CNIB building. Ourorientation and mobility specialistteaches people to travel safelyand independently and has re-ceived positive feedback fromclients regarding the TWSIs whenteaching them at the new BridgeTerminal.”

Safety both in the car and on footTactile Walking Surface Indicators working out well at new Dartmouth bus terminalBy Ken CashinCustom Media Writer

Tactile Walking Surface Indicators have been used at the corner of Alderney Drive and PortlandStreet in Dartmouth for a number of years, and were installed at the new Dartmouth bus terminalin 2012. Contributed

Tactile Walking Surface Indicators are typically made from metal, rubber or plastic inserts, or are built directly into concrete. Optimally TWSIs should have a texture that can be felt underfoot and detected by a long cane, and beveled edges to decrease the likelihood of tripping. Contributed

“TWSIs have a posit-ive impact. They in-

crease the independ-ence and safety ofblind and partially-sighted people.”

Peter ParsonsManager, programs and

services, CNIB

THE CHRONICLE HERALD SATURDAY, JULY 20, 2013 I9

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Highway 125 nearSydney has becomeone of the mostheavily-travelledroads in Nova Sco-tia, handling morethan 15,000 vehiclesper day.The highway has been undergoingincremental twinning upgrades —converting a two-lane road into adivided four-lane highway —since the 1990s, and the finalsection is scheduled to be fin-ished this month.

The 8.5 km stretch betweenExit 6 and Grand Lake Road isbeing completed with the help ofthe latest in GPS technology, andAlva Construction Ltd. is findingthat it’s helping to keep the $33.5million project on track — and inbudget.

Reg Tramble, the firm’s engin-eering manager, says they’ve beenusing machine control on theirexcavator for land-based dredgingwork, because it allows them tosee where the actual grades are— even those under water — andthey avoid the risk of over-dredging. Once the dredgingwraps up, they have the luxury ofbeing able to move that systemover to their motor grader —maximizing the use of the techno-logy.

“When we won the bid for thissegment of Highway 125, weknew a dozer with machine con-trol was the answer to boostproduction for us — and, at thesame time, cut down on some ofour survey costs,” says Tramble.

Working with the Dartmouthbranch of On-Grade, Inc., thelocal dealer for survey and ma-chine control systems, Tramblesaid they committed to Topcon’s3DMC2 machine control system— and had it installed on a newKomatsu D-65 dozer purchasedspecifically for the Highway 125job.

“The fellows at On-Grade wereexcellent, both in the initial de-cision-making process and insupport afterwards. We can’t sayenough about them,” Tramblesaid.

Using both their existing ma-chine control on a Cat 140H mo-tor grader and the newly-acquiredone on the dozer, work com-menced in July of 2012. Tramblesays it was on the gravel applica-tion that GPS technology reallymade itself known, because theprocess of laying down the Type 2gravel was much, much easierwith machine control.

“In the past, we would havehad a surveyor stake out the road,

then we’d put the gravel down,stringline it, and go from stake tostake -- a fairly labour-intensiveprocess when you factor in all thechecking that is necessary,” saysTramble. “But with GPS, wesimply do everything from insidethe cab. The operator alwaysknows where he is at, he knowswhen he is at grade, he knows allthe cut and fill areas.”

“It was both fast and accurate,and eliminated the need to havethat surveyor present at alltimes.”

While they still did put in isol-ated stakes on the job, Tramblesaid they did so more for thebenefit of the supervisors whoneeded to verify how close wewere getting to grade.

“There was very minimal stak-ing throughout the job,” he said.“So we really saved on labourcommonly associated with thatpart of the job, as well as on thefinal checking to identify high andlow spots.”

“We no longer need to have twolabourers stringlining as thegrader gets closer to the final pass— those men can now be reas-signed elsewhere onsite.”

From a production standpoint,the percentage of improvementwill vary — depending on thecomplexity of the job itself, theinformation coming from theowner or the engineering group,and the weather — but Tramblesays production increases are ashigh as 25 to 30 per cent wheneverything goes well.

The project’s proximity to theCape Breton Regional Municipal-ity reservoir dictated that special

consideration be taken — in theform of a geosynthetic clay liner(GCL).

“GCLs are common in landfill-type jobs, but not that commonfor us on highway projects,” saidTramble. “However, because wewere within an area that has to beprotected from spills and runoff,it was in the design and it was upto us to find a way to grade thoseareas accurately and quickly.”

“But once we got the infoloaded into the dozer’s system,the operator simply followedwhat was on screen in his cab. Wewere able to bring the material tograde without any effort at all.”

The most commonly-toutedbenefits of GPS equipment are an

ability to get to grade quicker andmore accurately, and do so withless effort and manpower. ButTramble says there is anotherperk that often gets overlooked.

“There is something of an envir-onmental component to usingGPS that even we didn’t foresee,”he said. “Because we are gettingthings done quicker than everbefore, we are burning less fuel ineach GPS-equipped machine —and, as a result, reducing emis-sions.”

“Many companies like ours arebecoming increasingly aware ofthe impact we have on the envir-onment, and taking steps to min-imize that impact. This is a greatway to do so.”

GPS technology makes its markin Cape Breton highway projectBy Heather Laura ClarkCustom Media Writer

Using machine control on excavators has helped Alva Contstruction Ltd. improve production in some cases as high as 25 to 30per cent. Contributed

Alva Construction Ltd. has helped outfit their excavators withGPS technology, provided by On-Grade Inc. in Dartmouth.

Contributed

“Because we aregetting things done

quicker than ever be-fore, we are burning

less fuel in eachGPS-equipped ma-chine — and, as aresult, reducing

emissions.”Reg Tramble

Engineering manager, AlvaContstruction Ltd.

I10 SATURDAY, JULY 20, 2013 THE CHRONICLE HERALD

Commuters goingbetween Truro andHalifax have beendriving through amajor constructionzone since January,as the ShubenacadieRiver bridges under-go a complete over-haul.

Kevin Cooke, Estimator/ProjectManager with Dexter Construc-tion, says the plan is to replaceboth of the existing structures —northbound and southbound —on Highway 102.

“The original structures aren’treally that old — they were builtin the mid-1970s — but they havesteel girders in them, and they’rein bad shape,” says Cooke. “Thereare some serious corrosion is-sues, so that’s really the mainreason for replacing them.”

The project began in Januaryand is currently in the first phase,which involves building a tempor-ary bridge between the two exist-ing sections. Motorists have been

looking at the progress with in-terest as they drive by, and soonthey’ll get a chance to try it out.

“We’re about a month awayfrom having the temporary bridgeinstalled and open to traffic,” saysCooke. “At that point, the Halifax-bound traffic will be re-routedonto the temporary bridge.”

Once traffic is rerouted, crewswill begin demolishing the exist-ing southbound structure. Byabout this time next year, the firstnew structure should be in place,and Halifax-bound traffic will bemoved onto it.

At that point, Truro-boundtraffic will be rerouted onto thetemporary bridge, and the originalnorthbound structure will bedemolished and rebuilt.

Cooke says the project is pro-ceeding on schedule, with a crewworking daily.

“It was slated to be approxim-ately 30 months, so everythingshould be completed by Septem-ber of 2015,” says Cooke.

He explains that it’s commonwith bridge projects to only haveone crew working at a time, be-cause it’s a linear project.

“If you’ve got a big road job,you can quite often get two-to-three crews working at a time.But with this project, you can’ttear down an existing bridge untilthe detour is put in, and you can’tstart new construction until afterthe demolition,” says Cooke. “It’sa situation where one task has to

follow the other, because of thenature of the work.”

Cooke says it’s a “challengingproject” because it’s such a high-traffic area, and Mother Natureisn’t always making it easy for thecrew. The river experiences atidal bore twice a day, sometimesreaching up to three metres inheight.

“Some of the work being doneon the temporary bridge hasrevolved greatly around thetides,” says Cooke.

Approximately 20,000 vehiclestravel over the ShubenacadieRiver bridges each day. Cooketravels them daily himself, andsays motorists will certainly ap-preciate the smoother ride once

the project is completed.“For the last five years, the

bridge decks have been reallyrough,” says Cooke. “The bridgeshave a lot of flexibility, so it tendsto make the asphalt not stickwell.”

“But once they’re completed,the new structures should last 100years.”

The Shubenacadie River bridges, which were built in the mid-1970s, are made out of steel girders which are in need of repair. Contributed

Shubenacadie Riverbridges being replacedBy Heather Laura ClarkeCustom Media Writer

The Shubenacadie River Bridges Project is slated to take 30 months, being completed bySeptember 2015. Contributed

THE CHRONICLE HERALD SATURDAY, JULY 20, 2013 I11

Road Construction

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infrastructure, an amount thatcomprises over 20 per cent of thewastewater requirements of allAtlantic Canada. He says thefive-year plan would allow CBRMto address its core communityinfrastructure, such as water,sewer, roads and sidewalks, whilestabilizing its communities.

The cost sharing idea hasalready received support from theprovince, contingent upon ap-proval from Ottawa. Other CapeBreton municipalities are alsolooking favorably on the idea andmay try a similar approach them-selves.

Arguably, the state of the roadsin Halifax is not as bad as those inCBRM. This is due to a focus onasset renewal over the past sever-al years and funding arrange-ments with the province.However, while HRM has nottabled any proposals that lookanything like CBRM’s, the muni-cipality, like others across thecountry, is indeed reaching out toOttawa.

As existing federal infrastruc-ture programs are set to expire in2014, HRM council recently ap-proved priority areas for fundingunder the new long-term infra-structure program, the new Build-ing Canada Fund. The targetsHRM has identified include transitfunding, urban core investments,and wastewater systems.

The city is currently in theprocess of communicating itsfunding priorities to the provinceand Ottawa, as well as its desireto be included in infrastructurefunding negotiations going for-ward.

“The plan for the next 10years,” says HRM communica-tions advisor Tiffany Chase, “is to

continue emphasizing a state ofgood repair for our assets whilealso budgeting some for growth.”

Downloading of responsibility

Michael Atkinson, president ofthe Canadian Construction Asso-ciation, says he’s not surprisedthat municipalities are looking fordifferent ways to fund infrastruc-ture renewal. He points out thatgreater Toronto has come up withvarious ideas for alternativesources, including the GST, tolls,and user fees.

Atkinson says the trend ofdownloading custodial care andresponsibility for infrastructurefrom the federal to the local levelhas been going on for many years.Unfortunately, he says, the resultsare poor and showing. He sayspoliticians are beginning to real-ize that the deteriorating roads,bridges, wharves, and wastewater systems are negativelyimpacting standard of living, theeconomy, health, and the environ-ment.

“These issues are all linked,” hesays.

Claude Dauphin, president ofthe Federation of Canadian Muni-cipalities (FCM), agrees. He saysall orders of government can andmust do better by working togeth-er and forming long-term partner-ships to address these issues.

Dauphin points out thatCanada’s municipalities own andoperate 60 per cent of the coun-try’s core economic infrastruc-ture, but collect just eight cents ofevery tax-dollar paid in Canada.

Increasing asset managementpractices across the country, hesays, is imperative for the futuresustainability of our communities.

“At FCM we believe there is nosurer way to create jobs todayand strengthen the economicfoundations of tomorrow thaninvesting in municipal infrastruc-ture,” says Dauphin. “When feder-al, provincial, territorial, privateand local partners bring fundingand expertise to the table, noother investment goes as far orachieves as much. One of the bestand surest ways to reduce red-tape, increase private sectorinfrastructure involvement andensure fairness is through predict-able infrastructure investments.When municipalities can planagainst the funding they knowthey will receive, all stakeholdersand the local community benefit.”

Patches on patches

Dave MacKenna, president ofMunicipal Ready-Mix Ltd., a largeconstruction company in Sydney,says that if CBRM’s five-yearfunding plan goes through, itwould be a huge shot in the armfor the local construction in-dustry. In season, his companyemploys up to 250 people and hesays that number would likelydouble. He says the work wouldalso allow contractors to makecapital investments for equip-ment, which would increasefuture capacity.

MacKenna says a major boostin road building work wouldmake CBRM a more viable muni-cipality. Cape Breton, he says, is agreat place to live, and touristsenjoy it, but there’s years worth ofwork needed to upgrade thehighways and byways.

“There’s patches on patchesnow,” he says. “If you let it go toolong then it’s no longer just pav-ing, it’s rebuilding. It’s like a leakyroof, soon you’re into the boardsand then the moisture gets in andyou’ve got to fix the ceiling. Thenyou’re in trouble.”

InnovativeContinued from I1

Cape Breton Regional Municipality Mayor Cecil Clarke hasdeveloped a $300-million plan for fixing roads, arenas and otherinfrastructure, with the federal government paying 50 per centof the municipality’s five-year-plan and the province and muni-cipality each paying 25 per cent. Contributed

Taking up a career in road build-ing is a smart choice. The chal-lenge for the industry, though, isgetting more people to see justhow good of a choice it is.

For starters, there’s lots ofwork on the horizon. The long-term employment forecast is quitepositive, largely in response toinfrastructure renewal programsannounced by federal and provin-cial governments.

Road building jobs tend to begood ones, too. In Nova Scotiathe industry is a major economicdriver, employing about 7,500people and contributing an estim-ated $375 million in wages annu-ally. Its payroll and benefits farexceed minimum standards. Thetop 20 per cent of all individualsworking in heavy constructionearn more than $45,000 annually,while the average salary for theprofession is about $39,000 peryear.

Job opportunities run thegamut from heavy equipmentoperators to highly technicalcareers like surveying and newproduct development. Manyunique career paths are available,both in the field and in the office,with positions as diverse as pro-ject management and engineering& design. Options range frommechanics and technicians to

occupational health and safety.A top priority for the industry,

though, is to replace the retiringskilled trades persons and trainenough people to do the workcoming down the pike. To thisend, organizations such as theNova Scotia Road Builders Asso-ciation (NSRBA) and governmentand educational institutions arepartnering up to help meet thelabor needs of the future.

A major initiative on this frontis the Nova Scotia Department ofEducation’s High School Co-operative Education program,which has spawned others of itskind. It consists of co-op workplacement through schools acrossthe province and allows studentsto earn high school credits bycompleting an experiential workplacement in the community, in achoice of various work industries.

Placements are arranged by theschool and comply with N.S.Department of Education policyand guidelines. The programconsists of both an in-school anda placement component.

John Cochrane, community-based learning coordinator withthe education department saysthe co-ops help students plantheir education and get hands-onexperience in potential careerswhile they’re still in school. Hesays it provides students with theopportunity to understand theworkplace and gain the know-ledge, skills and attitudes theyneed to succeed.

“For students, planning for the

future can be exciting, scary andoverwhelming all at once,” saysCochrane. “Work placements areimportant in every industry be-cause they allow students toexplore the trades in a hands-on,minds-on way, and that’s whatgood learning is all about. Theconstruction and road buildingindustry have identified the im-portance of being proactive andpreparing for future workforceshortages.”

Co-Operative Education hasgrown considerably since firstlaunched in 2006. The amount ofcredits earned has spiked by 700per cent and the number ofschools participating has jumpedfrom 15 in 2006 to 84 out of 87 in2013. This summer it’s expectedthat Nova Scotian students willearn more than 400 co-op credits.

Cochrane says the province isin the midst of some of the bestopportunities in its history and isfocused on making sure NovaScotians are ready. He points outthat in the province’s boomingconstruction sector, alone, in thenext five years we’ll see a demandfor 7,000 workers. If we don’t actnow, he says, we won’t haveenough skilled people to fill theupcoming opportunities.

“We’re investing not only in thefuture of students, but the futureof Nova Scotia,” says Cochrane.“We’re preparing today’s youth fortomorrow’s opportunities. NovaScotia will have a strong, capableand prosperous workforce.”

Getting a head start in the roadbuilding industryBy Ken CashinCustom Media Writer

Roadbuilding employs about 7,500 Nova Scotians and contributes $375 million in wages anually. Contributed

I12 SATURDAY, JULY 20, 2013 THE CHRONICLE HERALD

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A “vital link” in ourhighway system ison its way to beingsafer and more con-venient for motor-ists in and aroundAntigonish.

Maurice Smith, Minister ofTransportation and InfrastructureRenewal, says they’re nearly ayear into phase two of the multi-year improvement project onHighway 104.

“This highway is important as avital link in the Trans-CanadaHighway system. It not only linksNova Scotians to one another, butto other parts of Canada andNorth America,” says Smith.

He says the main reason fortwinning the highway is improvedroad safety for motorists, but it’salso a matter of convenience.

“The additional benefit of atwinned highway is that it is moreefficient — it cuts travel time fordrivers, and greatly reduces roadcongestion,” says Smith.

The first phase began in 2009,and saw the construction of afour-lane divided highway runningfrom west of Addington ForksRoad to just east of Beech HillRoad. The new stretch of highwayopened in the fall of 2012.

The second phrase involvesconstructing a new four-lanehighway that will divert trafficfrom the existing Highway 104alignment that currently passesthrough the eastern side of Anti-

gonish and the community ofLower South River.

The new highway will extendthe recently-twinned section fromjust east of the Beech Hill Roadoverpass to a point near theTaylor Road. It’s a stretch of ap-proximately eight kilometres,with an estimated cost of $88million — of which the federalcontribution is $30 million. Workis expected to be completed bythe fall of 2015.

The project is part of the pro-vincial government’s five-yearplan to improve our highways.Smith says they have invested $1.1billion in highway capital con-struction since 2009, and commit-ted an additional $245.8 million in2013-2014.

“Investing in this work is one ofthe best ways to generate jobsand improve the quality of life inour communities,” says Smith.“The project has provided a majoreconomic boost for northeasternNova Scotia. Its construction iscreating good jobs, and its com-pletion will result in a valuableupgrade that will provide a safer,more efficient — and less conges-ted drive — for motorists.”

Smith says it’s important tonote that the Department ofTransportation and InfrastructureRenewal are issuing tenders forroad work earlier than ever be-fore, and allows road builders tobetter plan their work and alloc-ate resources.

“This has been an importantissue for the Nova Scotia RoadBuilders Association, and I’mpleased we’ve been able to re-spond,” says Smith. “This ad-vanced planning allows them tobid on more jobs throughout theyear.”

Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Maurice Smith said the main reasons for twinning Highway 104 around Antigonish are to provide greater driver safety,and to cut down motorist travel time. Contributed

Second phase of Highway 104improvement well underwayBy Heather Laura ClarkeCustom Media Writer

“This highway is important as a vital

link in the Trans-Canada Highway

system. It not onlylinks Nova Scotiansto one another, butto other parts of

Canada and NorthAmerica.”

Maurice SmithMinister of Transportationand Infrastructure Renewal

The new highway will extend the recently-twinned section fromBeech Hill Road to Taylor Road. Contributed

There are four major projects that are or will be underway thissummer:

1. South River Bridge Construction: Bridge construction is cur-rently underway. The concrete abutments and piers for the east-bound lanes are complete, and the contractor is working to com-plete the concrete substructures for the westbound lanes. Structuralsteel is now being fabricated, with installation to start on the east-bound structure in August. The westbound structure will followwith forming and installation of the decks for both bridge and ap-proach work.

2. Taylor’s Road Underpass:The concrete abutments and centrepier are complete, and so is the installation of the concrete girders.The contractor is currently forming the deck in preparation of deckplacement in early summer. They also have the majority of the ap-proaches for the newly realigned Trunk 4/Taylor Road complete, aswell as a portion of the subgrade for the future highway twinning.

3. Dunn’s Loop Underpass structure (for existing Hwy. 104): Thistender is for the construction of the underpass that will eventuallyform the crossing of the newly realigned (existing Hwy 104, futureTrunk 4) over the Highway 104 twinning.

4. Highway 104 (Phase 2) Grading: This is for a section of sub-grade construction from the end of the Phase 1 portion of the twin-ning just east of Beech Hill easterly to South River (approximately3.6 km). This will include all drainage structures within this section.The pre-engineering and production of plans are almost complete,and will be followed by the completion of the estimate for tender.

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Road building isone of the longeststanding and mostsuccessful indus-tries in Nova Sco-tia, with a storiedhistory going backmore than a hun-dred years.

While the sector remains ro-bust and healthy, it’s facing chal-lenges such as forecasted labourshortages and deficits in infra-structure renewal spending.However, the industry is workingwith government and educationalinstitutions to prepare for thechallenges ahead and is takingsteps now to ensure that roadbuilding remains strong andhealthy for the future.

Comprised of 160 membercompanies — 40 of which arefocused on core road building inbridge, heavy civil, marine, sewerand water main construction —Nova Scotia’s road building in-dustry today is one of theprovince’s most modern andprogressive sectors. It utilizesadvanced engineering, technolo-gies and equipment and is com-mitted to environmental steward-ship and safety.

Represented by the Nova Sco-tia Road Builders Association(NSRBA), the industry workscooperatively with government tostandardize road building pro-cesses and develop environment-al and safety regulations. Roadbuilders strive to implement safeworking conditions and utilizeenvironmentally friendly techno-logies and construction methodssuch as cleaner burning fuels andmaterials like reclaimed asphaltpavement.

Many road building companiesalso show a commitment to envir-onmental stewardship throughbest practices in the area of landrehabilitation, for example, thatgo above and beyond legislatedrequirements.

Economic Impact

Road building is also one of theprovince’s largest employers andeconomic drivers, representing awide cross section of professionsand trades. It employs 7,500people and pays an estimated$375 million in wages annually.Jobs range from engineers andarchitects to surveyors, projectmanagers, heavy equipment oper-ators and safety managers, toname just a few.

And, make no mistake, buildingand maintaining Nova Scotia’s

roadway infrastructure is a bigjob. It encompasses 23,000 kms ofroads and 4,100 bridges, includingthe 100-series highways, second-ary highways, local paved andgravel roads, and the many con-crete, steel, and wooden bridges.

NSRBA member companieswork on everything from roads,bridges, wharves, and shippingplants, to airports, sewer andwater systems, subdivisions,building sites, wind farms, andlandscaping.

Andrew Lake, president of theNSRBA, says the industry’spayroll and benefits far exceedminimum standards. He says that20 per cent of all individualsworking in heavy constructionearn more than $45,000 annually,while the average salary for theprofession is about $39,000 peryear.

Many of the industry’s skilltrades people, says Lake, areapproaching retirement and theindustry has identified as a toppriority the need to attract andretain skilled workers.

Lake points out that the pro-posed changes to EmploymentInsurance also may have a signi-ficant impact on road building.

“Many employees are con-cerned that their ability to drawEI will be challenged, which mayforce individuals from seekingemployment in the industry,” saysLake. “We live in a region wherethe climate and weather condi-tions preclude employers fromperforming certain constructionactivities such as asphalt pavingin the winter. People who per-form the asphalt paving have avaluable skill set that’s not easilytransferable or obtainable. Em-ployers fear that EI reform willpush these skilled individuals tofind alternate careers, whichcould potentially jeopardize thehealth of the industry.”

Training

To offset the forecasted laborshortages, the NSRBA haspartnered up with governmentand other industry groups like theConstruction Association of NovaScotia (CANS). For example, theNSRBA has been active in parti-cipating in the CANS BuildingFutures for Youth program, whichmatches high school studentswho have expressed an interest inthe construction industry withprospective contractors. Thepartnership exposes individualsto the demands of the industryand provides employers with theopportunity to build relationshipswith potential recruits.

Through the NSRBA, the in-dustry is also developing trainingprograms like the Asphalt Lay-down Technician (ALT) course, toimprove the level of training inroad building and increase thenumber of skilled workers. Theprogram was offered in the spring

of 2012 and 2013, graduating closeto 25 students.

Lake says safety remains anoth-er chief concern. He points outthat the NSRBA has partneredwith the Department of Trans-portation and Infrastructure Re-newal (TIR) over the past numberof years on a safety campaignaimed at educating the publicabout the hazards that road crewsface on the job. It brings aware-ness to drivers to slow downwhen entering a constructionzone.

Infrastructure Spending Deficit

While provincial spending oninfrastructure renewal has in-creased in recent years, it is stillinsufficient. In 2009 a TIR reportindicated the department neededto spend 400 million over each ofthe next 10 years. The TIR budgetin 2013 was just shy of 246 mil-lion.

However, Lake points out thatinfrastructure spending in NovaScotia is reasonably healthy whencompared to other provincessuch as New Brunswick and P.E.I.

“As a result this has drawncontractors from N.B. and P.E.I.to compete for road buildingcontracts here,” says Lake. “Thisis the first time in recent memorythat tenders have been let early,with 48 per cent of the provincialbudget already awarded. Thedepartment has acknowledgedthat they’re receiving great valuethis year due to the competitivenature of the industry. The capa-city of the industry is such that itcan handle an increase in infra-structure spending.”

In the years ahead, says Lake,the ongoing challenge will be tosecure from government a sus-tainable, long term fundingstrategy for the province’s roads.He points out that the presentfunding levels won’t be enough tohalt the deterioration of existinginfrastructure and meet newhighway needs.

“We must have adequate infra-structure in place to supportgrowth and investment in NovaScotia,” says Lake. “A well con-structed and adequately main-tained highway system is whatwe’re all after. It would have farreaching benefits for the entireprovince.”

Road building is one of the longest standing and most successful industries in Nova Scotia, with a storied history going back more than 100 years. Contributed

Road building industry healthy, but challenges still awaitBy Ken CashinCustom Media Writer

“A well-constructedand adequately-

maintained highwaysystem is whatwe’re all after. Itwould have far

reaching benefits forthe entire province.”

Andrew LakePresident, NSRBA

The Department of Trans-portation and InfrastructureRenewal (TIR) total budgetfor 2013-14 is $245.8 million.

In total for 2013-2014, 10major construction projectsare planned, along with 83repaving projects, 29double chip re-surfacinghighway maintenance pro-jects and 22 bridge replace-ment or repair projects.

Highlights of the plan for2013-14 include work tore-align highway 103between Port Joli andBroad River; twinning ofhighway 125 around SydneyRiver; twinning of highway104 around Antigonish;culvert replacement in thetown of Stellarton; work onthe Cabot Trail in Invernessand Victoria Counties, aswell as trunk 4 in CapeBreton and RichmondCounty.

Some of the other majorprojects include replace-ment of the bridges overthe Shubenacadie River onHighway 102 and repaving17 km on the CobequidPass.

TIR is also replacingbridges such as the IndianSluice Bridge near Yar-mouth, and the SydneyRiver Bridge.

Major repaving work isplanned for several areasincluding Highway 105:Cape Breton County Lineeasterly to Highway 162Intersection (10 km); and inHalifax, Highway 107: fromRoute 318 overpass to MainStreet Intersection (9.1 km).

In addition to roads andhighways, TIR is designingand constructing all newbuildings — such asschools, court houses,correctional facilities, officebuildings — to meet LEEDcertification standards.

Highlights ofmajor roadwayprojects

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Pits and quarries arefrequently con-sidered nuisancesrather than essentialcomponents of com-munities. Focus isoften placed on tem-porary annoyancesrather than mid andlong term social andeconomic benefits.Often overlooked,one of the long termbenefits of pits andquarries are the end-use applications ofreclaimed sites.

All Nova Scotia Environment-approved sites are required topost a rehabilitation securityproportional to the size of a siteto ensure resources are availablefor site reclamation when siteoperations conclude. Typically,within one year following theclosure of a pit or quarry, reclam-ation is to be completed. Reclam-ation activities may include acombination of surface contour-ing, drainage, and re-vegetativework. All reclamation work iscompleted with a planned enduse. End-use alternatives mayinclude one of several optionsincluding those in the agriculture,industrial, residential, recreation-al, or wildlife sectors. In this waythe end use of a reclaimed pit or

quarry site may provide additionalvalue once its primary purposehas been exhausted.

Typically, rural quarries arereclaimed as mixed forest com-patible with the surroundingenvironment; however, quarrieslocated near or within urbanareas present an opportunity forother end-use developments tofurther benefit the nearby com-munities. Such projects mayinclude: sports fields, hikingtrails, campsites, and golf courses(recreational end-use alternat-ives), fields, forested areas, lakesor ponds (natural habitat end-usealternatives), crop or livestockareas (agricultural end use altern-ative), parking lots, buildings, andstorage areas (industrial end-useapplications).

Locally, there are several ex-amples of successful mine re-clamation projects. These includethe site of the Dartmouth Cross-ing shopping centre, which wasdeveloped at a location whereseveral quarries used to operate.The former Pioneer Coal Mine inStellarton has been reclaimed toinclude open space, a runningtrack and related field facility.Part of the Cabot Links GolfCourse in Inverness was builtover a former coal mine. Rockfaces from aggregate extractionlocations add to the landscapeand privacy in the Twin Brooksresidential development in Sack-ville.

A much more visible exampleof reclamation is Point PleasantPark, one of Nova Scotia’s mostbeautiful natural spaces and oneof Halifax’s most popular walkingareas. The park includes upwardsof 50 former pits and quarries,which presumably were used toprovide aggregate for nearbyroads, fortifications, and thePrince of Wales Tower, the oldest

Martello tower in North America.The Quarry Pond, situated near

the entrance to Point PleasantPark, was developed as a result ofquarrying activities and nowoffers a scenic view and peacefulresting location. Remaining pitand quarry features add to thenatural topography of the areaand can be seen amongst thetrees and vegetative cover nearthe walking paths and trailsthroughout park.

“Environmentally consciousaggregate suppliers place signific-ant effort and financial resourcesinto ensuring pit and quarry re-clamation is completed on timeand in an environmentally re-sponsible manner,” says GaryRudolph with Dexter Construc-tion. “These reclaimed sites oftentransition into a variety of usesand add value to many communit-ies.”

Quarries and pits: gems hidden in the wildBy Ken CashinCustom Media Writer

End-use alternatives for quarries may include one of severaloptions such as those in the agriculture, industrial, residential,recreational, or wildlife sectors. Contributed

Often overlooked, one of the long-term benefits of pits and quarries are the end-use applicationsof reclaimed sites. Contributed

“Environmentally conscious aggregate suppliers place significant effort and financial resources into ensuring pit and quarry reclamation is completed on time and in an environmentally responsible

manner. These reclaimed sites often transition into a variety of uses and add value to many communities.”GARY RUDOLPH

Dexter Construction