THE FIRST MARINE WORKS AND DREDGING CONTRACT IN BRITISH COLUMBIA IS COMPLETED

In early 2020, Ocean Group signed a major contract for the Fairview Connector Road, which consisted in  connecting two container terminals at the Port of Prince Rupert in British Columbia.

This major project was to build a road that would divert heavy vehicles transiting to the port by reducing the existing route by 15 kilometers. This project, combining efficiency and environmental mitigation measures, was a significant challenge due to its complexity.

Indeed, underwater foundations had to be built to support the new road while respecting and protecting the habitats of the local aquatic fauna.

After 21 months of work, the first dredging contract in British Columbia ended in mid-September with the laying of the last stone on the fish habitats.

The various Ocean Group teams worked week after week, competing in ingenuity and expertise to make this ambitious project possible while preserving the fragile ecosystems of the area. This was made possible by the daily presence of positioning technicians and a sounder vessel equipped with a multibeam sounder.

In addition to the construction of the road itself, more than 23,000 m³ of material were dredged, more than 122,000 tons of rock were deposited and 28 fish habitats were built. In addition, due to the complexity of the engineering work to be carried out, equipment was even  custom designed, thus demonstrating the agility of Ocean Group’s teams.

Seventeen team members per shift worked tirelessly while keeping in mind health and safety on the site and respecting the strict sanitary measures in effect in British Columbia.

This project was accomplished  in close partnership with the local First Nations communities and with  the precariousness of the aquatic ecosystems in mind.  The more than satisfactory results position Ocean Group as a partner of choice for future work combining ingenuity, rigour, professionalism and expertise.