Page 48 - CEA-Alberta-Innovators-2025-webmag

2025
SHOWCASE
- AWARDS -
AWARD OF
MERIT
–
NATURAL RESOURCE
PRODUCTION
OILSANDS OVERBURDEN
WASTE DUMP
AWARD OF MERIT
Natural Resource Production
FIRM: THURBER ENGINEERING LTD.
CLIENT/OWNER: OILSANDS CLIENT
LOCATION: OILSANDS, ALBERTA
When our client faced a space challenge regarding overburden
storage, they turned to Thurber to assess the possibility of
repurposing an existing tailings pond for waste storage. Thurber
worked with the client to design a 50-metre-tall storage facility on
80 metres of soft tailings to address risks including liquefaction,
stability, materials placement and long-term performance.
Construction is complete and Thurber is working with the client to
assess the feasibility of building an extension to the overburden
dump. The project is the first significant structure to be built on
top of an in-pit tailings pond in Alberta’s oilsands and the world.
JUDGES’ COMMENTS
Great project and very innovative unique approach that
challenged the status quo — it was not without challenges
and risks.
48 ALBERTA INNOVATORS
2025
SHOWCASE
- AWARDS -
AWARD OF
MERIT
–
PROJECT
MANAGEMENT
DESIGN-BUILD INNOVATION:
COLLABORATIVE PROJECT
MANAGEMENT OF WEST
CALGARY RING ROAD
AWARD OF MERIT
Project Management
FIRM: ASSOCIATED ENGINEERING
CLIENT/OWNER: ALBERTA TRANSPORTATION AND
ECONOMIC CORRIDORS
LOCATION: CALGARY, ALBERTA
SUB CONSULTANTS: TETRA TECH CANADA INC.
CONTRACTORS: ELLISDON CONSTRUCTION SERVICES INC.,
CALGARY SAFELINK PARTNERS
The delivery of the West Calgary Ring Road project, a vital
transportation initiative in Alberta, exemplifies design-build
innovation and collaborative project management. Built in two
segments, the project includes eight kilometres of the new Stoney
Trail, 27 bridges including four service interchanges, as well as the
full reconstruction of five kilometres of the TransCanada Highway.
As the Owner’s Engineer, Associated Engineering’s commitment
to fiscal responsibility and delivering value for money resulted in
quantifiable cost savings of over $30 million. Innovative project
management strategies helped achieve minimal claims, exceptional
safety and on-time delivery, setting new benchmarks for excellence.