Natural Environment Services

Project Value: $370,000

As part of a larger reconstruction of the Causeway, BTE completed a site reconnaissance of the bridge and noted that significant embankment scour damage has occurred at the Chemong Bridge structure on the James A. Gifford Causeway. Due to wave action and deteriorating conditions, the bridge’s embankment and previous slope paving had been lost, exposing the abutment footings. BTE recommended to the County that immediate repairs should be undertaken. A design was developed and environmental approvals obtained within one month of identification of the issue. BTE also complete the inspection and Contract Administration for the repairs.

Project Value: $4 Million

This project demonstrates the team’s ability to deliver a signature bridge properly scaled to the site. This project is for a vehicular, pedestrian and cycling facility adjacent to the Dalewood Reservoir and Kettle Creek. This will provide a vehicular crossing and active transportation link for the walkway around the reservoir.

The design team responded to the special setting with a very slender extrados steel bridge, which suits the special park setting while meeting all the functional requirements of a road bridge. The study included a Value Engineering and constructability review during design development which led to the innovative design of the extrados bridge type and traffic calming of the crossing using street narrowing. It also included a value engineering review post tender with the successful contractor, which resulted in an additional 10% reduction in the project cost. The project had to deal with public and agency issues, as the project will remove fish habitat and is located immediately upstream of the Kettle Creek Conservation Authority dam. The project has included obtaining MECP, KKCA and DFO permits and authorizations.

Ann Rocchi, M.Sc. (Partner) is a senior aquatic and terrestrial biologist with 30 years of experience in fish and wildlife studies in Canada and abroad. Her experience includes conducting detailed bio-inventories and environmental impact assessments as both project manager and as part of a multi-disciplinary team. Her collective work includes: Species at Risk surveys and habitat assessments; fish, wildlife and botanical inventories and habitat assessment; fish habitat compensation design; implementation and monitoring; site restoration and monitoring for successful native plantings; comparative community studies; and zooplankton, benthos, and water chemistry collection.

BTE provides natural environment consulting services for municipalities, counties, government agencies and developers throughout Ontario. As part of our services, which include all aspects of Transportation Planning and Design and Value Management, we have a highly qualified environmental team with extensive experience in conducting all forms of natural environment surveys and deliverables including: Species at Risk surveys; aquatic and terrestrial habitat assessments; fish, wildlife and botanical surveys; compensation planning and design; site restoration plans; Environmental Impact Studies; DFO permits and approvals; Endangered Species Act and Species at Risk Act permits/registrations; Conservation Authority permits; and third-party reviews of environmental deliverables.

Project Value: $8 Million

As part of the previous environmental assessment completed by BTE, the long-term planning for the James A. Gifford Causeway (Causeway) included the widening of the cross section to function as protection of the embankment. The design included a 9 m wide rock fill platform, extension of existing equalization culverts and fish habitat/environmental protection features including lunker structures, stump structures and vegetated boulder revetments. The design was extremely unique due to the muck bottom of Chemong Lake and geotechnical concerns with settlement both in the short and long term. Additionally, the rock fill widening required coastal consultation to mitigate and protect for wave action and washout of the widened platform.

Extensive environmental consultation was undertaken with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) and Curve Lake First Nation (CLFN) as the Causeway embankment was identified as key spawning habitat for Walleye. A Fisheries Act Authorization was secured for the work (the largest for DFO at the time) which included fisheries monitoring pre, during and post construction with CLFN staff to assess the impacts of the construction on spawning. BTE also completed all construction administration and general/environmental inspection for the project.

Project Value: $11 Million

This project demonstrates the team’s ability to deliver a complete road reconstruction from design through construction.

This road reconstruction and widening project included a roundabout, installation of sanitary, storm sewer and watermain, precast concrete box culvert, and retaining wall. BTE completed both the design, permitting, inspection and Contract Administration.

The work in 2018 involved road reconstruction of Mineral Road and Maitland Drive with underground servicing and pavement to base asphalt elevation, and construction of an armour stone retaining wall. An existing corrugated steel arch pipe crossing Maitland Drive was replaced with a 3.6 x 1.8 x 25.0 m precast concrete box culvert. Sidewalk construction and boulevard restoration also commenced in 2018. Work in 2019 included road work and underground installations on Maitland Drive, as well as construction of a roundabout at Farnham Road.