September 29, 2008

Transportation Infrastructure

British Columbia government caves on Porteau Bluff stabilization project

RICHARD GILBERT

staff writer

A rock slide that blocked the Sea-to-Sky Highway between Whistler and Vancouver for several days has led to a rock stabilization project along the route.

The B.C. government is undertaking work on the Porteau Bluff section of the highway to reduce the risk of future slides.

An entire cliff face collapsed onto the highway in late June and the rockslide severed the only direct route between the two cities.

The Ministry of Transportation announced earlier this month that the stabilization project would move ahead despite Premier Gordon Campbell’s initial assurances that the slide was a once in 200 years event.

Also, money wasn’t allocated to that section of road in the $600 million Sea-to-Sky Highway Improvement project.

The project is the direct result of the slide.

“This is fallout from the rock slide,” said Dave Crebo, communications director with the Ministry of Transportation. “The ministry said they would evaluate the area and do any extra work as warranted.”

The work involved a pair of two-hour highway closures last week.

“They will be doing a bit of blasting, some sealing, some drilling, rock bolting and meshing,” said Crebo.

“They need the extra road closures because of the blasting. The work will be (was) going on all week.”

According to Crebo, the work is part of an ongoing rock stabilization program that is being undertaken by Miller Capilano Maintenance Corporation, a local division of Miller Paving.

Miller Capilano has 25 people working on the project, including six rock scalers, various machine operators, as well as engineering and technical staff.

After these closures, the ministry expects the necessary stabilization or clean-up work will be done within the normal closure and delay schedule for the highway improvement project.

Miller paving is part of the S2S Transportation Group that was awarded the contract to design, build and operate the 95 kilometre Sea-to-Sky Highway.

Miller Capilano is responsible for the full operation, maintenance and rehabilitation for a 25 year period.

The company is responsible for routine summer and winter maintenance of the highway, as well as highway rehabilitation, which includes pavement, structures, signage and electrical.

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