Industry News
Industry news Nova Scotia plans $1.9 billion road building investment Nova Scotia will invest $1.9 billion over the next three years in infrastructure, one of the largest such commitments in the province’s history. Funds will be channeled through the Building for Growth plan, the premier’s office announced. Investment and jobcreation initiatives will be matched with strategic priorities, including energy conservation, roads, bridges, highways and schools. The news was welcomed by both the Construction Association of Nova Scotia (CANS) and the Nova Scotia Road Builders Association. Highway projects make up the lion’s share of the stimulus package. “We are very concerned about a slowdown in private-sector investment at a time when the industry has been taking on apprentices and beginning to address our long-term demographic challenge,” said CANS President Carol MacCulloch. “We believe investment that creates jobs around the province as well as in a range of construction from roads and bridges to buildings and energy consumption is appropriate and welcomed by the industry at this critical time.” The $1.9 billion investment is estimated to create or maintain about 20,000 direct jobs. Projects will be spread out over three years so workers can be hired and benefits felt provincewide, the government said. The announcement was also good news for the province’s road building industry. Highway projects make up about $1 billion of the three-year stimulus package. The highway capital budget in year one will be about $345 million. “This is a large increase in spending over the next three years that will lead to significant shorter-term job creation and capital investment within our industry,” said Grant Feltmate, Executive Director of the road builders’ association. “The long-term result of this investment will be tangible assets that benefit Nova Scotians for many years to come.”
Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal Minister Brooke Taylor said the province is embarking on one of the most ambitious road improvement plans in its history. “We are working hard to get tenders released so we can begin work as soon as the construction season starts.” The total value of highway projects announced to date this year is almost $100 million. By Patricia Williams
British Columbia announces $800 million infrastructure plan The B.C. government has pledged to spend almost $800 million on more than 113 infrastructure projects across the province. “We are creating jobs, we are also creating new homes for the homeless here in Vancouver and in other communities, and we are building other critical infrastructure such as schools and correc tional centres,” said Premier Gordon Campbell. The announcement includes funding for six social housing projects in Vancouver that will cost $172 million and will create 569 housing units. The Vancouver housing projects alone are expected to create 1,100 direct construction jobs. Another 11 social housing projects are planned for the province at a cost of $130 million for an additional 478 units. The government claims that the initiative will create 4,800 jobs, starting this summer. The announcement is part of the province’s three-year $14 billion capital infrastructure program. Other notable infrastructure projects include: • $424 million for 30 projects on new construction and renovation of elementary and high schools. • $59 million for 57 projects to improve courthouses, correctional facilities and other public safety facilities. • $8 million for nine projects for the Ministry of Children and Family Development.
22 | construction economist | www.ciqs.org | spring 2009
Oilsands upgrader up & running Canadian Natural Resources Ltd. announced that its Horizon Project oilsands development produced synthetic crude oil for the first time. The first phase of the project was designed, engineered and built in a volatile business environment, with final construction costs totaling about $9.7 billion. Although more than the 2005 initial estimate of $6.8 billion, it is well below the industry average. This will make it a low-cost oilsands producer.
Tougher Canadian energy-code standards could change building design, construction Tough energy standards are coming that could throw wrinkles into how buildings are designed and constructed in Canada. “In 2010 or 2011, I anticipate that the energy codes will become quite a bit more stringent,” explained Blair McCarry, a project engineer with Stantec Consulting Inc. of Vancouver. EnerGuide 80 for homes and possibly the 2010 version of ASHRAE 90.1 will require 30% less energy use than the current energy code model in British Columbia. Other provinces will also be in line for tougher codes. McCarry is Stantec’s project engineer for a number of high-profile jobs, including Vancouver’s new convention centre and the Olympic Skating Oval. In September, British Columbia introduced a new energy code and although it will not have a big impact on how buildings are constructed, it is a sign of changing times. McCarry said stricter energy codes could start a significant design shift away from the current standard ‘all-air’ system model for cooling and heating commercial buildings. More waterbased systems, similar to systems commonly specified across Europe, could become the new standard. For pipefitters and insulators, it would mean more piping and, in turn, more pipe insulation, he said. click here to return to table of contents
