Page 20: ADM.
Page 22: Astec Industries, CDE, Doosan, Durex, GSSI.
Page 24: Haver & Boecker Niagara, John Deere, Komatsu, McCloskey International, MAJOR, Montabert.
Page 26: Polydeck, PPI, Process Heating Company, Road Widener, Superior Industries, Trimble.
Page 28: Volve CE, Wirtgen Group.
is becoming an increasingly prominent business focus.
The construction industry’s trade show season is moving at full speed again, and no show is bigger or more important to attend than the upcoming CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2023 show in Las Vegas.
This popular show typically brings more than 130,000 construction industry professionals to Sin City to check out more than 1,800 exhibitors across a massive 2.7 million square feet of exhibit space.
CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2023 will also offer more than 175 education sessions across a wide variety of tracks, including:
• Aggregates;
• Asphalt;
• Concrete;
• Cranes, rigging and aerial lifts;
• Earthmoving and site development;
• Equipment management and maintenance;
• Business best practices;
• Health and safety;
• Talent acquisition;
• Technology solutions;
• Emerging technologies;
• Risk management;
• Sustainability;
• and many more.
The 2023 edition of this triennial show will also offer some new features for attendees, including the Next Level Discovery Zone.
According to the show’s organizers, AEM, this area will showcase innovative products and services from exhibitors in a creative and unique way. Okay, I’m intrigued. I’ve always enjoyed how this show brings new and interesting presentations and exhibits each edition. I still
remember watching the first-ever 3Dprinted excavator be unveiled (dubbed Project AME) and operate during the 2017 edition of CONEXPO-CON/AGG. That marvel was unveiled during the show’s first-ever Tech Experience, which was a 75,000-square foot area offering interactive experiences and showcasing future innovations – a great addition to the show. I imagine the Next Level Discovery Zone will offer equally impressive technologies to check out.
To learn about some of the innovative technologies that will be on display at the show, turn to page 20 and check out Rock to Road’s CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2023 Showcase.
In our showcase, you'll be able to check out some the impressive new equipment that will be on display from global leaders such as Astec Industries, John Deere, Wirtgen Group, ADM, CDE, Durex, Haver & Boecker Niagara, MAJOR, Komatsu, Polydeck, PPI, Superior Industries, Trimble, Volvo CE and more.
For more information on the show or to register, visit www.conexpoconagg.com.
Hope to see you at the show!
Safe travels.
@RocktoRoad
www.rocktoroad.com
As a decades-long leader in asphalt plant innovation, Astec has introduced numerous products contributing to sustainability. From the Double Barrel® dryer/mixer introduced in 1988 to the debut of the high RAP Double Barrel XHR in 2016. In addition to these industry-changing products, Astec also leads in sustainability with our warm mix system, the V-PAC stack temperature control system, low emission burners, and blue smoke systems.
Astec is well-equipped to carry our culture of innovation into the future. Our dedication to sustainability includes new product development teams and an on-staff product manager for sustainability.
COME VISIT BOOTH C30235
MARCH 14-18, 2023 • LAS VEGAS, NV
Reach out to learn more about how we can help you meet your asphalt plant sustainability goals.
Chris Jeong was recently named the new CEO at Doosan Infracore North America. He succeeds Edward Song, who was promoted to global sales head of Hyundai Doosan Infracore in Korea.
Jeong most recently served as CEO for Doosan Infracore European Union. He joined Doosan in 2006 as a senior corporate strategy manager after completing his MBA at Carnegie Mellon University. He led strategic activities across various markets before he was promoted to vice-president of sales and marketing for emerging markets. Jeong oversaw sales and marketing for Doosan employee teams in Asia, Oceania, Commonwealth of Independent States, Middle East, Africa, Latin America, Brazil and India.
“I’d like to acknowledge the many accomplishments of Doosan Infracore North America under the leadership of
Mr. Edward Song,” Jeong says. “Edward was instrumental in getting the new organization structured in 2018 as we recommitted the company to the heavy construction equipment industry in North America.”
Song led Doosan Infracore North
The Board has appointed Jaco van der Merwe to serve as president and CEO and as a member of the Astec Industries Board of Directors. van der Merwe joined Astec in 2016 as group president and currently serves as group president, Infrastructure Solutions, a role he assumed in 2019.
“We are fortunate to have someone with Jaco’s experience and skill to assume the role of CEO,” said William Gehl, Chairman of the Board. “He is a proven leader and has a thorough understanding of our business. Prior to joining Astec in 2016, Jaco held various leadership positions with P&L responsibilities within the construction equipment industry. His knowledge of our Materials Solutions and Infrastructure Solutions markets and products makes Jaco uniquely suited to lead Astec to the next level of our 'Simplify, Focus and Grow' journey.”
“We would also like to thank Barry Ruffalo for his efforts at Astec
America to success during his time as CEO. Among his many accomplishments were establishing two regional parts distribution centres in North America, opening the machine customization plant in Savannah, Georgia, and most recently introducing the new Doosan machine monitoring centre at the corporate office in Suwanee.
Jeong’s first major assignment will be to oversee the Doosan exhibit at CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2023 in Las Vegas.
“I’m excited about our Doosan exhibit planned for the outdoor Festival Grounds,” he says. “We will be demonstrating our latest developments on Concept-X and autonomous equipment with live demonstrations throughout the day. We will have a full lineup of our current products as well as new additions to the lineup.”
and wish him the best in his future endeavors,” Gehl added.
“It is an honour to be the CEO of Astec and I look forward to our journey together,” van der Merwe commented. “The hardworking people of Astec are the key to our success. Our company has a 50-year history of designing, engineering, manufacturing and servicing the most innovative, efficient and dependable equipment solutions within the 'Rock-toRoad' segment of the construction industry. By working together with a dedicated focus on execution, we will create value for our shareholders, customers and employees.”
Source: Astec Industries.
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BY GRANT cameron
Industry sees a lot of positives for 2023
> Road builders and aggregate producers across Canada have looked into the crystal ball and, for the most part, like what they see for 2023.
There are some strong headwinds, mind you, namely the looming threat of a recession, possibly more interest rate hikes, continued supply chain issues and labour shortages, but they are generally optimistic about the year ahead.
In Ontario, more work is expected as the industry plays catchup from the COVID-19 lockdowns. The provincial government has given the green light to the Highway 413 and other projects,
and has raised the target for new home building, so aggregate producers are looking at the need for more licence applications.
In Quebec, several big projects are still on the books and industry leaders are expecting additional work in the roads and civil engineering sectors. The outlook is also positive for the four Atlantic provinces.
B.C. and the Prairie provinces are expecting steady work. Stakeholders in British Columbia, in particular, anticipate it will be busy again in 2023 as crews contend with a backlog of repairs caused by the atmospheric river event.
In Ontario, industries are coming off a relatively strong 2022. Companies are still catching up on projects that were put on the shelf during the pandemic and governments continue to invest in capital projects.
“With increased demand for aggregate on the horizon, many producers are beginning to look at new licence applications,” says Norm Cheesman, executive director of the Ontario Stone, Sand and Gravel Association.
Highway 413 is perhaps the most highprofile of the road projects. The province has committed funding to the proposed 52-kilometre corridor and it is currently undergoing an environmental assessment. The population of the province is also expected to grow, increasing the need for roads around bigger cities.
The province also committed to building 1.5 million homes in the next 10 years, which means more roads, schools, hospitals, bridges and more – all requiring more aggregate.
Cheesman says higher interest rates may slow construction in the first half of 2023, which will impact aggregate production, and municipalities may temper their project work due to depleted municipal coffers.
“However, over the longer term, there is no question that the province has not made up for the infrastructure deficit that has occurred for the past two decades,” he notes.
Both material and labour shortages remain a concern for the industry. Equipment cannot be repaired when parts are not available, and contractors may not be able to bid on projects if they don't have
the workers.
The rise of NIMBY groups is also a concern, says Cheesman, as the municipal elections in 2022 provided opportunities to spread misinformation and made it difficult for politicians to support the aggregate industry.
“We see this problem as continuing as local groups continue to make delegations to councils in an effort to put a hold on new applications. The industry has responded by issuing op-eds and emails to local councillors explaining the importance of close-tomarket aggregate and the fact that our industry maintains environmentally sustainable practices in an effort to meet and exceed regulatory requirements.”
The Quebec Construction Commission (QCC) is forecasting that overall building activity will be five-per-cent lower than in 2022. However, the outlook for the road construction sector appears brighter. The volume of work in the civil engineering and roads sector in 2022 was expected to come in two per cent higher than in 2021.
Gisèle Bourque, CEO of the Quebec Road Builders and Heavy Construction Association (QRBHCA), says there are a number of large projects in progress or about to get started that will bolster the industry in the coming year.
Those projects include the Réseau express métropolitain (REM) project in Montreal, the Louis-Hippolyte Lafontaine Tunnel under the Saint Lawrence River, the Ile d'Orléans bridge, and numerous Hydro-Québec projects, such as roads for the construction of power transmission lines, as well as municipal infrastructure works, the deconstruction of the Champlain Bridge, and Québec City Tramway.
However, labour is a continuing challenge for the industry.
“Several efforts are being made by our industry to attract labour, knowing of course that several other sectors of the economy are in competition to grab the available labour,” says Bourque.
The QRBHCA and board of directors of the QCC have implemented several measures aimed at countering the effects of the scarcity of labour, she says. “The objective is to facilitate attractiveness, integration and retention of the workforce.”
The QRBHCA also worked with the Conseil du patronat to directly target young people with a campaign on TikToc.
“The scarcity of labour generates multiple negative consequences for businesses,” Bourque explains. “Everything must be done to encourage hiring in the industry because employers have been hampered in the development of their businesses over the last few years.”
In 2023, the QRBHCA will also be focused on how to increase the amount of recycled materials used by the industry.
“For the next few years, clients must consider increasing the use of these materials,” says Bourque. “Indeed, the challenges for 2023 are mainly related to the environment.”
Although a recession could be in the cards in 2023, road builders and aggregate producers in British Columbia are expecting a good year due to holdover ventures from 2022
and continued build of many large projects.
“We are up against, we believe, a recession,” says Dani Miller, president of the B.C. Stone, Sand and Gravel Association. “However, there are a few things that are easing that for us, like mega-projects such as Site C, Coastal GasLink and the Trans Mountain Pipeline. Those are going steady.
“Government spending on transportation and infrastructure is, relatively speaking, quite steady and it's steady looking forward to 2025. I don't want to say that this is a recession-proof industry, but we have some things that cushion the blow for us.”
The industry also has a backlog of work from 2022 and the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation has rolled out policy changes that will clean up delays in mine permitting, and continues to work on permitting efficiencies which will help deliver gravel faster, with less travel and less carbon to communities, says Miller.
A renewed emphasis by the province on reducing red tape and building more new homes also bodes well for the aggregates industry.
Kelly Scott, president of the B.C. Road Builders and Heavy Construction Association, says the industry is still catching up on the work tendered in 2022, and with the addition of road and highway repair work already planned for 2023, it makes for a busy year ahead.
“The emergency repairs were done in 2022, and now it's more the permanent repairs, the permanent jobs that need to be done,” he says. “Those are being tendered and contractors are working on those, so that work continues as well as all the other work that the government had planned to do in infrastructure investment.”
A year ago, the worry was that government was going to use funding earmarked for traditional infrastructure work for the emergency repairs, but the federal government came through with funding.
According to Kelly, labour, the cost of fuel and supply chain shortages are hampering the industry and making it difficult for contractors to bid on projects. Stakeholders are bending over backwards to encourage youth and people from underrepresented groups to pursue a career in the industry and the association is encouraging the government to change the immigration system, for example, to allow more truck drivers into the province.
Chris Lorenc, president of the Manitoba Heavy Construction Association, is optimistic about the industry's outlook for 2023, due in part to improved relations between the
province and City of Winnipeg.
“I am very optimistic with the new mayor, very optimistic with the collaborative process that he has already started, which is an extension of his personality and the way he leads and marshals support for forward, progressive direction,” he says. “There's a palpable breath of fresh air and so we are optimistic that the city will begin, as a matter of civic policy and political priority, to focus its programs and harness them as investments in economic growth which then enables the city to do the things that it needs to do.”
Winnipeg Mayor Scott Gillingham and Premier Heather Stefanson have made a number of positive announcements that positively influence the direction of the province and the city, according to Lorenc, so there's an apparent and visible willingness to collaborate and look at ways and means to move forward.
“That is a mindset and relationship change that has been long, long overdue and we are very optimistic that it will continue with positive results. They may have differences of opinion, which is fine, but they come to the discussion with open minds and that is absolutely critical to get meaningful collaboration.”
Lorenc is expecting that the provincial highways capital program will be more robust in 2023 than it was last year and Winnipeg's local and regional streets program will also be stronger.
“We're also more optimistic about private sector investments in this province which augers well for the vertical and horizontal construction industries in this province,” says Lorenc.
The industry in Alberta is expecting to see some improvement in work over 2022.
Rob Fragoso, executive director of the Alberta Sand and Gravel Association, says there are 16 projects valued between $100 million and $1 billion under construction in the commercial, infrastructure and residential sectors in the province, and 139 projects overall, if those valued at $5 million or more are included.
In November, the value of new projects increased to $13.7 billion – up from $12.1 billion at the same time in 2021. The biggest jump was in infrastructure projects, which climbed to $10.1 billion from $8.8 billion.
“This isn’t a major spike, but the in-
dustry outlook for 2023 appears to show small growth,” notes Fragoso.
There is some uncertainty about the future, however, due to political precariousness. The ruling United Conservative Party is set to release a budget in February and a provincial election is set to be held in May.
Regardless of the party that wins the election, Fragoso expects some disruption due to shifting portfolios and perhaps consolidation of some, which may have policy implications for the aggregates industry.
On a good note, he says, the City of Edmonton announced in November a $68-million surplus, which may have some positive implications for the industry on expenditure plans. Calgary, meanwhile, plans to spend $18 million over the next three years to expand and maintain roads and sidewalks, $150 million to develop a 600-acre industrial park and $110 million for downtown revitalization and improvement.
“This is not huge in terms of development, but certainly not austere either,” says Fragoso.
Shantel Lipp, president of the Saskatchewan Heavy Construction Association (SHCA), says she is proud of what was accomplished in 2022 and is looking forward to making more progress in the upcoming year.
“This year, I recognized we need to continue to help others fully understand our industry,” she said in a year-end message posted on the SHCA website that spoke to the challenges ahead. “Those we work with need to continuously hear from us to better understand our members, the contributions you make and the challenges you face.”
For example, she noted, the City of Regina put forward a motion about local procurement and economic recovery. In the motion was a fair wage policy for all construction, maintenance and service contracts. Lipp explained the implications and asked questions that showed the challenges it would create.
“Knowing how we attract and compensate employees, the qualifications of those employed in the industry, as well as how our members work with a general contractor, were just some of the points I made in my submission. In the end, the motion was defeated, but I recognize it was a good
> In Alberta, there is some uncertainty about the future, due to the upcoming provincial election this May.
opportunity to help a level of government understand what businesses like ours need to be successful working with them.”
On a broader scale, Lipp states that the SHCA is working with other heavy construction associations in Western Canada to draw attention to the need for the country to invest in its trade infrastructure and was involved in the release of a report, From Shovel Ready to Shovel Worthy, produced by the Canada West Foundation.
“That report encourages both the federal and provincial governments to plan their investment more strategically in infrastructure that supports the movement of goods and people through and far beyond our country.”
Lipp says it is important that the association continues to raise the profile of the industry by explaining the work that it does, how that work gets completed, and how it contributes to improving the province and country.
“When we can help others recognize the significance of the work being done by our industry, we can not only benefit our members, but we can also improve what is possible in our province and country.”
There appears to be plenty of industry work on tap in the Atlantic provinces.
Grant Feltmate, executive director of the Nova Scotia Road Builders Association (NSRBA), says the outlook is generally positive for the province.
“This is based on indications that the provincial highway budget will remain at least at a stable, sustainable level.”
Twinning of Highway 104, which connects the province to New Brunswick and the mainland to Cape Breton Island, is expected to continue and be completed in 2023. Meanwhile, a few smaller, but significant 100-series highway projects, also will be completed or substantially moved forward in the coming year,
Feltmate says the labour shortage remains the big challenge this year, and the NSRBA is taking action.
“We have begun entry-level training courses to attract new employees and this has been an effective help. This will continue to be an issue going forward due to several factors, including age demographics of our employees.”
Tom McGinn, executive director of the New Brunswick Road Builders, says he expects 2023 to be much the same as 2022 but getting enough workers into the field is still an issue.
Contractors did not have as many crews as they had in the past in 2022 and, therefore, could not take on as many projects, he says, which led to delays.
To get youth interested in the industry, road builders are renovating a 53-foot trailer into a mobile training classroom, which will be equipped with heavy equipment simulators. It will go into service in February.
“The trailer will visit high schools in our province, exposing students to our industry,” says McGinn. “We are working with the department of education on this.”
Material shortages are also a concern and road builders are working with the provincial department of transportation to plan better and order supplies in advance to reduce delays and costs, he says.
“Industry and government need to keep communications open to make sure jobs get completed on time and on budget.”
In Newfoundland, several road and highway projects are slated for 2023.
Work is expected to begin soon on a new interchange on the Trans-Canada Highway at Exit 41 near Galway. A $10.3-million contract has been awarded to Farrell’s Excavating Ltd. to build an underpass as well as ramps and a roundabout on the western side of
the highway. Construction will be completed in 2024.
The federal and provincial governments are also looking into the possibility of building a road connecting the existing Trans-Labrador Highway to communities in northern Labrador. A feasibility study is under way.
The road would start in the vicinity of the town of Happy Valley-Goose Bay or the Lake Melville area and extend as far north as the Inuit communities of Rigolet, Postville, Makkovik, Hopedale, and Nain, and the Innu community of Natuashish.
In Prince Edward Island, meanwhile, close to 99 kilometres of roads are slated to be repaved over the next year. The federal and provincial governments are each contributing $6.6 million to the project. The repaving will extend the lifespan of the roads by about 15 to 20 years.
The project builds on the Atlantic Growth Strategy, a project launched in 2016 with the goal of strengthening the economy in Atlantic Canada.
In Nunavut, the Kitikmeot Inuit Association (KIA) must resubmit a project proposal to the Nunavut Impact Review Board for the construction of a 227-kilometre, all-season gravel road that would connect the northern terminus of the Tibbitt-Contwoyto Winter Road to a deep-water port at Grays Bay.
The board wants an updated scope of the project in order for an assessment to continue.
The Grays Bay Road and Port Project is a transportation system that, once completed, will connect the rich mineral resources of Canada’s Slave Geological Province, which straddles Nunavut and the Northwest Territories, to Arctic shipping routes.
The KIA has indicated it intends to submit a new proposal.
In the Yukon, work has begun on building a new Nisutlin Bay Bridge. Graham Infrastructure LP was awarded the $160-million project. It is the largest capital project
in Yukon's history.
Originally designed in 1953, the bridge is nearing the end of its lifespan and needs to be replaced. It will be a critical transportation link along the Alaska Highway and is expected to be completed in 2026.
The new bridge was designed with input from the community and in collaboration with the Teslin Tlingit Council. The project will create many local and First Nations jobs over the coming years.
In the Northwest Territories, the government is seeking input from community residents on the proposed Mackenzie Valley Highway (MVH) between Wrigley and Norman Wells.
When completed, the MVH will be a two-lane, gravel highway between the two communities, approximately 321 kilometres in length.
Once input is received from the community, the results will be summarized into a report that will be submitted to the Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review Board as part of the environmental assessment.
BY GRANT cameron
> In 2018, a landslide washed away the lone road into Old Fort, a community of 150 residents along the Peace River in northeastern B.C. Crews repaired the road but Mother Nature paid a return visit in the summer of 2020.
Following heavy downpours, the ground shifted, again causing severe damage to the thoroughfare. A 100-metre section of the roadway, named Old Fort Road, was carried approximately 300 metres down slope.
Vehicles could not get through to the area five kilometres southwest of Fort St. John. A temporary gravel access road was B.C. in process
later installed in July 2020 and then replaced with a high-grade gravel road to serve the community. However, area residents are still waiting to hear what the permanent solution might be.
Peace River Regional District has not yet received a definitive timeline from the province on when the new road will be built. B.C. is responsible for all aspects of the road, including maintenance and construction development. A permanent fix is complicated by the fact the area is prone to future slides.
There are also considerations for the environment and certain species of fish, wildlife and plants. In addition, the area is covered by a treaty which affects 10 First Nations communities with territories in B.C.
A number of high-level road realignment options were developed by the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MoTI) in 2018 for discussion purposes and to address slope stability and access reliability. The project team met in fall 2020 to determine which options were viable and decided to rule out three as they failed to demonstrate a superior alignment.
The MoTI engaged McElhanney Ltd. to provide high-level geometric, structural, environmental and hydrotechnical design input of the remaining options. Geotechnical review was done by BGC Engineering Inc. and overall project management services were provided by Stantec Inc. An extensive report was presented to the MoTI.
The report addresses the pros and cons of each of the options as well as issues that could result from each one. The consultants evaluated the alignment options, developed several new alignments to bypass and mitigate the slide area, and conducted a high-level screening exercise to shortlist one or more options. They also prepared information about the potential impacts on property and high-level cost estimates.
“The review determined that the best
option for access to the community of Old Fort is to continue using the existing route, which is a gravel road, and conduct further geotechnical assessments to identify potential improvements,” an MoTI spokesperson said in a statement prepared for Rock to Road. “This recommendation was determined based on a multiple account evaluation that studied reliability, cost, geotechnical, structural, environmental, hydrotechnical, and constructability considerations.”
> “The effects of climate change include more severe weather patterns, which can influence slide movement.”
At $30 million, the option being proposed is the least costly and is expected to have the lowest environmental impact. The gravel road put in place after the slide would be left in its current alignment and grade without undertaking any stabilization of the sloped landslide area. The scenario recognizes that the gravel roadway would be impacted by future landslides.
The report notes that the option does not require any new construction but that future ongoing rehabilitation will likely be required due to its unknown access reliability associated with ongoing slide risks.
The MoTI is planning to do further assessments to further refine the preferred option for the roadway.
“The ministry is now undertaking further geotechnical assessments, including drilling and instruments installed in the boreholes, which will help inform next steps,” the MoTI spokesperson stated.
“Any future works done by the ministry will follow the province’s environmental guidelines and required legislation to identify environmental risks.
“The effects of climate change include more severe weather patterns, which can influence slide movement. Geotechnical investigations will help the ministry understand what mitigative works can be undertaken to improve slide stability.”
The team also considered whether to upgrade the gravel road to current MoTI standards and undertake significant stabilization efforts to reduce future earthflow movements. But going that route, the consultants found, would require extensive field investigation to develop a more robust understanding of existing geohazards. There would also be additional costs for a pile wall, and extensive drainage improvements required to mitigate hydrotechnical challenges due to the steep slope. Estimated cost would be $200 million.
Another alternative was to build new roadway south of the landslide area that ties into existing roads. Three slightly different configurations were proposed, which would require construction of bridges. Depending on the configuration, estimated costs range from $187 million to $243 million.
The alternative is further complicated by the fact that extensive field investigation would be required for all three configurations to develop a more robust understanding of existing geohazards.
Because river crossings would be required, permits would be needed from agencies responsible for in-stream works. There would also be the potential for significant environmental impacts, causing extensive permitting efforts and approvals and possible costs for reclamation work or mitigation strategies.
Further, there is the potential threat the alternative would pose to many endangered and species of special concern, including birds, mammals, amphibians and plants.
The project team ruled out new access roads from the north, west and east.
A route from the north provided the shortest distance between Old Fort and the City of Fort St. John but, if built, would result in a steep grade of up to 25 per cent. To reduce the grade, the road would need to be switch-backed up a hill and across unstable landslide terrain. There would also be costly geotechnical design options
such as ground anchors, anchored pile walls and extensive drainage works.
Meanwhile, a route from the west would require more extensive geotechnical measures and still be vulnerable to potential future advances of the earthflow while one from the east would go over both active and dormant landslide terrain and present significant challenges for both design and construction.
The slide area is immediately above the Peace River, which is known to contain over 39 species of fish. Side channels on large rivers also generally provide refuge for smaller fish looking to avoid strong currents.
The area under study is covered by a treaty which affects 10 First Nations communities. They are Blueberry River, Dene Tha, Doig River, Fort Nelson, Halfway River, Horse Lake, McLeod Lake, Prophet River, Saulteau and West Moberly.
Since the 2018 landslide, an automated monitoring system has been on site at Old Fort to provide continuous updates on any ground movements in the area and an operating protocol is in place to respond appropriately.
An earlier report from British Columbia’s chief inspector of mines indicated that despite geotechnical assessments, the root cause of the 2018 slide remains inconclusive.
The report said it's not clear if a cause will ever be determined with certainty, but that a nearby pit’s stockpile of gravel combined with natural slope instability and rain that was 44 per cent above average may all have been factors.
Earlier this year, final evacuation orders were lifted on several properties and sections of two roads near the community of Old Fort. They had been issued in 2018 and 2020.
BY ANDREW SNOOK
The most popular trade show for construction professionals is back at the at the Las Vegas Convention Center from March 14 to 18. CONEXPO-CON/AGG, which takes place every three years, will feature more than 150 education sessions and over 1,800 exhibitors across a massive 2.7-million square feet of exhibit space. The following are a small sample of the thousands of products that will be on display. To view the full exhibit listings or for more details on educational sessions, visit www.conexpoconagg.com.
ADM
Booth: S5467 admasphaltplants.com
Designed for maximum asphalt production and increased capacities, the EX 7636 features a 76-in. drum diameter and 36-ft. drum length and can handle up to 50% RAP. It is just one plant in the EX Series of hot-mix asphalt plants (120-425 TPH) featuring counterflow technology. Single-drum, counterflow technology captures residual gases and reintroduces them back to the combustion zone, practically eliminating blue smoke and hydrocarbon emissions to meet strict environmental regulations. Using counterflow technology, EX Series plants provide the longest aggregates drying and mixing times in the industry to ensure consistent, high-quality asphalt that meets all federal and state specifications. This innovative technology also achieves maximum heat transfer and fuel efficiency through separate drying and mixing zones. All EX Series plants may be customized with any of ADM's wide-range of components to get just the right plant for your specific production needs.
Booth: C30235, D1200 astecindustries.com
Astec Industries is rolling out a variety of new technologies that will be on display:
The new Astec MINDS Data Suite is an allnew technology solution for managing and optimizing rock to road operations.
Astec cone plants are engineered for maximum crushing productivity. The unique roller bearing design of the Kodiak cone crusher can reduce operating expenses by up to 50% while also increasing efficiency. Mobile and stationary producers alike will benefit from quick, on-site movement.
The CP75 is designed to meet the challenges of a wide array of applications. The compact design enables paving in size-restrictive locations, such as parking garages and covered areas.
The RP-175 is a powerful, compact 8-in. (2.5M) wide rubber track asphalt paver designed to work in all types of sub-grades and paving applications. Full counter-rotate ability and track flotation allow the RP-175 to maneuver and pave in tight areas without sacrificing tractive effort or pushing power.
Booth: C30269
cdegroup.com
CDE’s AggMax 253R scrubbing and classification system with its unique paddle design stands the test of time in even the most abrasive environments. This pioneering technology is engineered for efficient scrubbing, incorporating aggressive attrition of conglomerates to release sands through scrubbing and organics removal, as well as recovering fines and removing filtrates on a compact chassis. In a bid to divert more waste from landfill, the AggMax supports the next generation of urban materials recycling, ensuring the production of the highest quality final sand and aggregates.
Booth: F9153
na.DoosanEquipment.com
Doosan Infracore North America will introduce the company’s new global brand
and logo, as well as several new products. The Doosan exhibit in the outdoor Festival Grounds area will showcase a sampling of the company’s full line of construction equipment, the exclusive Transparent Bucket for Doosan wheel loaders, a batterypowered engine and several new machines, including the company’s dozer line. Cutting-edge technologies such as Concept-X demonstrations, safety features and electrification will be featured. The Doosan exhibit will showcase autonomous equipment, the new Smart X-Care fleet management service and the topography-scanning drone Concept-X Xite Cloud.
Booth: C32567
durexproducts.com
Durex Products, Inc. offers numerous innovative urethane, rubber, and wire screen media options, which allow customers to fine-tune production and increase tons per hour, while keeping products in spec and lowering operating costs. Durex has offered premium screen media technologies since 1965, including its well-known Livewire, Armor, Accuslot, Vibraspan, and Vibraclean wire screens, as well as Modular Urethane and Rubber screens. Wear liners for aggregate and concrete equipment, wear parts, and screen accessories round out the company’s offerings.
Booth: N12921 geophysical.com
Geophysical Survey Systems, Inc (GSSI) will be showcasing its UtilityScan system, StructureScan Mini XT, and PaveScan RDM 2.0 for the utility, concrete, and transportation industries. The UtilityScan system makes locating and marking the depth of underground utilities in real-time in the field easier. With real-time target mapping and advanced scanning and identification capabilities, the rugged and flexible UtilityScan helps utility locating professionals accelerate their workflow from target detection to reporting. The StructureScan Mini XT all-in-one concrete inspection GPR system. This system is ideal for locating rebar, conduits, post-tension cables, and voids. By uncovering inconsistencies that occur during the paving process, including poor uniformity and significant variations in density, PaveScan RDM 2.0 helps to avoid premature failures like road raveling, cracking, and deterioration along joints.
Booth: S5948
haverniagara.com
Haver & Boecker Niagara launched a new addition to their Pulse portfolio with the introduction of Pulse Condition Monitoring (Pulse CM). The technology is designed to monitor the health of vibrating screens using modern algorithms and artificial intelligence. It provides accurate measurements and forecasts complemented by information that is easy to understand. Pulse CM is a wireless diagnostics tool that helps mineral processing operations be proactive, rather than reactive, when it comes to maintenance efforts. This leads to increased efficiency, decreased downtime and improved reliability.
Booth: S5020 deere.ca
The John Deere 944 X-tier wheel loader has been newly rebranded from the 944K Hybrid to align with the John Deere performance tiering strategy. Featuring the industry exclusive E-Drive system, operators can increase their productivity and reduce owning and operating costs, specifically related to fuel and tire usage. The efficiency of the E-drive system itself allows this machine to have strong pushing power and quick ramp climbing abilities allowing it to fill the bucket quicker and reduce cycle times when loading a truck or crusher. In addition, the 944 X E-drive system offers substantial savings over the life of the machine as a result of the limited amount of work required during a rebuild around 18,000 to 20,000 hours.
Booth: W42044
komatsu.com
On the show floor, Komatsu will be featuring its latest electric offerings alongside brand-new and recently introduced machines. A sampling of Komatsu machines that will be on the floor include: the PC210E (with Smart Construction Retrofit) electric excavator; PC900LC (with Smart Construction Retrofit) excavator; HB365LC-3 (with Smart Construction Retrofit) hybrid excavator; D71PXi-24 intelligent dozer; HD465-8 mechanical haul truck; PC230F-11 processor; PC360iLC-11 intelligent excavator; and WA600-8 wheel loader.
Booth: S5411
mccloskeyinternational.com
The McCloskey Environmental ESS-300 is a tracked shredder capable of effectively and reliably shredding a wide range of materials. It can be used for both primary and secondary shredding applications making it a very versatile machine. It is powered by a CAT 540HP engine and equipped with a heavy duty, market-tested cutting chamber to ensure it can meet all market expectations. The replaceable screen mesh setup under the shredding chamber means that this machine can produce materials to a specified size and the quick-change nature of these meshes through a side opening on the chamber reduces downtime.
Booth: C32267
majorflexmat.com
MAJOR offers FLEX-MAT Modular PLUS. The advanced screen media brings all the benefits of FLEX-MAT — high open area, efficient stratification, no blinding or pegging — combined with a new and improved wear life comparable to polyurethane screen media. FLEX-MAT Modular PLUS is specially designed to withstand harsh screening conditions with the most abrasive materials, such as granite and basalt.
Booth: W42229 montabertusa.com
New products to be highlighted at the show include the SD Compact Breaker for rock breaking. The SD line is designed to fit compact carriers such as mini-excavators and skid steers. Additionally, Montabert’s new line of Silent Demolition Tools, including grapples, processors, fixed and rotating pulverizers, and scrap shears, offer contractors multiple options for demolition and recycling applications. Montabert’s SD series of hydraulic breakers is designed for use on skid-steer loaders, backhoe loaders, and mini-excavators, providing versatility and productivity to accomplish multiple tasks with a single carrier, a single operator, and a single attachment. With fewer wear parts and no tie rods, the SD offers quick and easy maintenance in the field or the shop. Bushings, pins, and tools can easily be replaced in the field without removing the breaker from the carrier. The SD line includes seven models for compact carriers from 1 ton to 12 tons.
Booth: C31561
polydeck.com
METALDEX ULTRACLEAN is Polydeck’s latest high-performance innovation engineered to drive maximum production results for aggregate operations. This industry-leading product features key design upgrades from METALDEX VR allowing it to deliver more effective cleaning and accurate sizing providing a 3.5% average increase in open area compared to similar modular wire products. Designed to push the boundaries of open area in modular wire products, METALDEX ULTRACLEAN is best used in dry, fine-sizing applications or when positioned at the discharge end of screen decks to eliminate blinding or plugging for increased efficiency.
Booth: C31749
ppi-global.com
PPI’s spring impact roll offers an impact solution that will adjust and flex as materials are being loaded on the belt. Made for impact, the springs form a trough providing total belt contact with no roll gaps. The durable spring is impact absorbent and self-cleaning, and the flexible nature of the idler aids in installation in tight impact areas.
Booth: C33051 processheating.com
Process Heating Company (PHCo) will showcase animated, cutaway videos effectively illustrating from an insider’s view exactly what sets the company’s Lo-Density drywell-style electric heat apart from fossilfuel burners. From PHCo’s Unitized Asphalt and Industrial Tank Heaters, Hot Oil Circulation Heaters, and All-In-One Heaters, to its unique Distributor Truck Tank Heaters, PHCo’s simple, clean heat source can positively affect asphalt producers’ and contractors’ operations — lowering operating costs, improving product quality, reducing maintenance, significantly increasing heater life, and enhancing sustainability.
Booth: C32921
roadwidenerllc.com
Road Widener LLC now offers a spray bar system that increases the versatility of their patented Offset Vibratory Roller attachment. The accessory fits on all Off-
set Vibratory Roller attachments and aids in suppressing dust particles, compacting aggregates and preventing clumping when rolling hot mix asphalt. It can be easily attached to the Offset Vibratory Roller, a compaction attachment that allows the host machine to drive safely on flat ground while compacting shoulders, ditches, trenches and other hard-to-reach areas alongside the road. The spray bar system will allow contractors to increase efficiency and versatility when compacting a variety of materials including asphalt, stone, gravel and topsoil.
Booth: S5006
superior-ind.com
Superior Industries’ brand-new Portable Sentry HSI Closed Circuit Plant is equipped with the ability to process recycled concrete, reclaimed asphalt, and pit run materials into valuable salable products. From a single feed, owners and operators will be able to produce up to four unique products. The closed circuit crushing and screening arrangement includes a 4250 Superior brand Sentry Horizontal Shaft Impactor (HSI). It’s fed by a 48” x 18’ Intrepid Vibrating Grizzly Feeder, which is equipped with interchangeable grizzly cassettes (bars, fingers or punch plates) to accommodate multiple applications. Additionally, a 2-deck Anthem Inclined Screen screens up to three material sizes. Returning material is fed back to the HSI via a patent pending recirculating conveyor, which centralizes the feed for full utilization and extended wear life of the crushers blow bars. Onboard, the cross conveyors are universally designed to be interchangeable, which means owners invest in fewer conveyors since they can be mixed and matched throughout the plant.
The plant is equipped to accommodate line power, but can also be outfitted with a diesel drive genset unit. Its transport weight, dimensions and axle configurations make it permissible for road travel throughout all of North America.
Booth: W41522/F9169 trimble.com
Trimble’s Horizontal Steering Control functionality on the Trimble Earthworks Grade Control Platform for Soil Compactors is the industry’s first automatic steering control solution for soil compactors – and the
The next generation of Roadtec asphalt pavers is coming this March to ConExpo. See it in booth C30235.
See what’s in the booth.
next step towards Trimble’s autonomous vision. Horizontal Steering Control helps operators achieve higher quality surfaces and consistent compaction. Compatibility with all soil compactor makes and models enables contractors with mixed fleets to achieve a faster return on investment. Trimble Earthwork’s Horizontal Steering Control automatically steers a soil compactor using a 3D model or compaction pass line. This helps to improve compaction productivity and quality for operators of all skill levels by precisely controlling overlap between passes. Auto steering helps reduce operator fatigue while also minimizing over- and under-compaction, providing a more consistent subsurface for a higher quality, longer lasting finished product.
Booth: F8926 volvoce.com
The Volvo ECR355E crawler excavator is a heavy-duty, short-swing machine that provides the power and stability every aggregate or roadbuilding fleet should have. Its design includes precisely positioned components for optimal balance and an optional dozer blade for leveling the excavator on uneven ground. The ECR355E is made for working in confined areas without sacrificing digging performance, lift capacity, ease of mobility or precision finishing. Work modes dial in the right power for the job at hand, including an ECO mode that uses electronic pump control technology to boost fuel efficiency.
Volvo Active Control is standard, including semi-automatic grading and the ability to set boundary limits.
Booth: S5020/W40844 wirtgen-group.com
The Wirtgen Group will have a wide variety of machines on display at CONEXPOCON/AGG. Here are a few examples of what you will see on the show floor:
Wirtgen AutoTrac and WPT make a significant contribution to resource-efficiency of soil stabilization. By enabling precise, automatic steering, the AutoTrac system helps Wirtgen wheeled recyclers to achieve greater process efficiency and, as a result of this, a high degree of environmental compatibility. It steers the ma-
chine accurately within tolerances of a few centimeters on the basis of a previously calculated reference strip and a specified overlap of adjacent strips, which enables consistent utilization of the machine’s ideal working width. The WPT (Wirtgen Performance Tracker) uses a laser scanner to measure the cross-sectional profile to be milled. Surface milling performance and milling volume are then precisely measured using GPS positioning and other sensors. The machine operator can continuously track the most important information in real time on the control panel’s display. Afterwards, a report with all of the relevant performance and consumption data is generated automatically and made available to the machine user.
The SUPER 2000-3i Highway Class paver from Vögele is specially developed for the requirements of the North American market. The tracked paver is designed primarily for use in highway construction and large-scale commercial applications, which are all about power and productivity. With a powerful, 6-cylinder engine and high-output hydraulic drives, the paver is fully equipped for these jobs.
The Smart Doc app from Hamm makes it very easy to create compaction reports for self-monitoring and documentation. With Smart Doc, HAMM presents an app with which compaction in earthworks can be transparently documented and the result shared with third parties. The lean app was developed in close coordination with building practitioners. The focus here was on the possibility of self-monitoring when it comes to compaction in earthworks. Smart Doc also fulfils the minimum requirements of continuous compaction control (CCC). With an intuitive user interface, the app also creates added value when training new roller operators, as all relevant compaction parameters are visualized in real time on the smartphone.
The Kleemann MOBISCREEN MSS 802i EVO impresses as a new screen for coarse elements in natural stone and recycling. The large range of screen surfaces and the simple setting of screening parameters make it possible to adapt the MSS 802 EVO easily to new application conditions.
> FEBRUARY 5-9 WCR&HCA Conference Waikiki, Hawaii wcrhca.com
> FEBRUARY 6-7 ORBA 2023 Convention Toronto, Ont. orba.org
> FEBRUARY 16-17 Canadian Concrete Expo
Mississauga, Ont. canadianconcreteexpo.com
> FEBRUARY 21-23 OSSGA 2023 Conference Toronto, Ont. ossga.com
> FEBRUARY 27 TO MARCH 3 ORBA Road Building Academy Toronto, Ont. orba.org
> MARCH 7-10 CCA AGM Tuscon, Ariz. cca-acc.com
> MARCH 9-10 BCSSGA Conference Richmond, B.C. gravelbc.ca
> MARCH 14-18 CONEXPOCON/AGG Las Vegas, Nev. conexpoconagg.com
> APRIL 21-22 EGT 2023
The practice is becoming an increasingly prominent business focus
Aggregates, once mined, processed, and shipped to market, are gone forever. However, the process of aggregate mining also represents an opportunity to get multiple uses out of the same piece of land through the reclamation process. It is critical to return those lands back to something useful, postmining, that is beneficial for the community. There can be competing uses for lands, so if we can get several uses out of that same parcel of land, including aggregate extraction, land-use conflicts can potentially be mitigated and can result in mutual benefits for multiple stakeholders.
Reclamation is becoming an increasingly prominent business focus for aggregate producers. It is crucial that planning be completed at an early stage to ensure that after mining, those lands are returned to a use which benefits the environment and the community. Getting public or regulatory buy-in, at an early stage ensures a project’s success and makes it easier to secure approvals to extract aggregate from the outset. Consultation and engagement with third party stakeholders is becoming more prevalent in achieving a successful project outcome. There is certainly no cookie cutter approach to reclamation, and often an adaptive approach is used, as the priorities can shift throughout the life of a pit. Every site is unique, and each location can represent varying opportunities and multiple pathways in achieving successful reclamation.
An important first step is understanding what the baseline conditions are before mining: what is the geometry of the material to be mined; what is the site hydrogeology; what are the current flora and fauna at the subject site; what are the types of soils present. Communication and public engagement can assist in determining goals and values of stakeholders, and in guiding the potential options and opportunities. As producers we must realistically understand what can be accomplished at any given location. Numerous experts, in addition to local and operational knowledge, are available to guide a project and monitor its progress.
Reclamation can be as simple as returning disturbed lands to the identical land use, as was present before extraction, such as farmlands being returned to farmland. But mining can offer the opportunity to change or enhance the landscape as well. Former mine lands can be landscaped to include waterbod-
ies and upland areas that create high-quality recreational value or wildlife habit. These could include fishponds, walking trails, forested or grassed areas, migratory bird habitat, establishing plants for pollination, or wetlands for amphibian habitat and surface water filtration. Pit walls or benches may represent an opportunity to develop new avian nesting habitat, just to name a few. Well defined mine and reclamation plans manage the conservation of topsoil and the movement of overburden to minimize rehandling and to position these materials for final landscape contouring, vegetation establishment and either built or natural environment development.
Virtually the entire river valley in the City of Edmonton was once aggregate extraction. It is now currently occupied by parks, trails, and golf courses. Lafarge Lake is a focal point of downtown Coquitlam, BC for recreation. It is stocked with fish and hosts numerous community events. The City of Coquitlam even completed their Light Rapid Transit (LRT) system to Lafarge Lake so that the public could have access to the now coveted recreation area.
If completed effectively, the public or regulators do not even realize that an aggregate operation once occupied a site. After a site has been reclaimed, and with the passage of time, the knowledge that a pit even existed has passed. It is important for industry to document and celebrate these successes and to ensure that the public and regulators are aware of sites that were once gravel operations, so that they may see what could be done, that the industry is doing the right things, and that great things that can be accomplished for the benefit of the public and the environment in addition to supplying a crucial construction material for market.
Bill Gowdy is the technical director of aggregates for SLR Consulting. He has 35 years of experience in the geology and environmental fields, including 22 years based in Edmonton managing aggregate resource assessments, geological modeling, permitting, reclamation, environmental management systems, groundwater monitoring, community relations and biodiversity projects. David Novak is a Professional Agrologist and Certified Professional in Erosion and Sediment Control, and the technical director of reclamation for SLR Canada. David is a senior conservation and reclamation specialist with over 35 years of soil management and revegetation planning experience.
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