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View the Project
PHOTO GALLERY
Click below for
ROAD CLOSURE
INFORMATION
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Please see the
Real Heroes
from the Rock Slip
OPEN HOUSE held
Tues. Feb. 26, 2008
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Arthon Industries Limited
General Contracting & Aggregate Production
OKANAGAN HIGHWAY No.97 -
BENTLEY ROAD TO OKANAGAN LAKE PARK
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Project Challenges
The two-year project will be widening and straightening a seven kilometer section of the highway to provide commuters with a significantly safer passage along British Columbia's picturesque main North-South Okanagan corridor.
The project has generated a lot of interest so we decided to provide you with answers to some frequently asked questions. This list will continue to grow as we talk to more people.
How much rock and dirt is to be hauled and where are you putting it?
There is estimated to be about 1, 000,000 m3 of rock and 700,000 m3 of dirt. This is enough rock to fill a line of dump trucks bumper-to-bumper from Regina to Vancouver and enough dirt to reach from Regina to Thunder Bay or enough material to fill a ring of wheelbarrows around the world!
The dirt and rock will be used to "fill" in embankments in sections below the highway and the excess rock will be "stockpiled" for gravel production required later in the project.
What were the considerations in setting the road closure windows?
Safety of road users is of course paramount. During the design phase of the project the Ministry of Transportation held focus groups, and the message that came back from these groups strongly recommended getting the job done quickly while avoiding excessive hardship to highway users. Over 50 stakeholders were considered and consulted with when setting the road closures windows. Road use statistics show that 14,000 vehicles travel this road during the day in peak season and only 50 cars per hour on average travel at night . . . so most of the closure windows were scheduled at night for the major part of the project timeline.
What causes longer than advertised road closures?
Extensive blasting is required and each blast produces considerable material to remove. Traffic-affecting activities in each blast include:
- Closure of blast zone and confirmation that it is secure and safe
- Blast, including the countdown warning
- Inspection, to ensure all explosives have discharged and the area is stable to permit debris removal
- Removal of debris from roadway area to create a safe driving zone
Safety Issues arising out of the above activities can cause extended delays after blast events with resulting longer road closures.
How much explosives are being used and how will blasting affect people and businesses in the area?
It is estimated to be about 1.37 million pounds of explosives. A pre-blasting analysis study was performed to consider the effects of blasting on the local population. During a blast a project staff members are present at locations that may be vulnerable. Blasting does not occur after dark.
What are the considerations for the environment?
Both the Ministry of Transportation and Arthon Contractors Inc. are committed to environmental stewardship. For example, the Ministry has engaged a team of Qualified Environmental Professionals (QEPs) and goat specialists to work on the project and closely monitor goat activity to ensure the goats are protected. Blasting operations will be well outside the Goat's Bluff area during the kidding season.
The QEP's perform a sweep of an area prior to excavating operations to identify and come up with mitigation measures to protect the wildlife.
What is being done to control the dust from project activity?
There are two water trucks dedicated to keeping dirt side roads on the project and portions of the highway dampened to control the dust.
Do you have any pictures of the project's progress?
We sure do! And you can select the category of interest as well as a date to zoom in (so to speak) to the photos and videos of most interest. Click PHOTO GALLERY for the images.
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