2018 ROW Sessions

Utility Relocation Budgeting for Large Urban Transit Projects

Michael C. Paddags, York Region Rapid Transit Corporation

Utility relocations have become a large aspect of major transit projects’ risk profile. This presentation will focus on the evolution of a utility budget methodology for P3 projects, drawing on experiences from the vivaNext Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Projects in York Region.

On behalf of Metrolinx, York Region Rapid Transit Corporation has been mandated to deliver over 30 kilometres of new transit corridors that include modern AODA compliant stations, bike lanes, wide boulevards and many streetscape planting features; all of which would not be possible without extensive utility relocations.

This presentation will cover budgeting, Municipal Access Agreements, strategies, tools, contingencies and will conclude with a discussion on audience experiences and budgeting issues.

Transportation Association of Canada’s Guide for Utility Coordination on P3 Projects

Steve Murphy and Lawrence Arcand, T2 Utility Engineers

In light of the increase in large infrastructure projects that have utilized the Public/Private/Partnership procurement model, TAC’s Public Utilities Management Sub-committee has embarked on the development of a guideline that will outline a process/best practice to manage the Utility Coordination on these large scale projects. This presentation will provide an update on the status of the guideline and highlight some of the projects that have influenced its development.

Public Utility Coordination Workshop

Tracey Anastacio, City of Markham and
Jevito Marchese, City of Mississauga

Join us for a conversation about Public Utilities Coordination. Learn about the recent Public Utility Coordination Lean event from the City of Mississauga. Discover how your colleagues are dealing with large scale utility builds and participate in a discussion period with your peers on utility coordination.

Provincial Planning Policy and ROW

Stephen Willis, City of Ottawa
Frank J. E. Zechner, Frank J. E. Zechner Professional Corp

Planning regulations and policy in Ontario often intersect with public works and utilities/ROW.  In this session we will hear from two practitioners on this topic with ‘in the trenches’ project case studies, details from recent reports like RCCAO’s One Call and discussions with Provincial officials and association insights on current government direction concerning Places to Grow, Greenbelt and municipal legislation affecting ROW in Ontario.

The Electrical Safety Authority/Understanding the Rational and Intent with Z247 Standard

Patrick Falzon, ESA/Sat Virdi, TSSA

The Electrical Safety Authority

Patrick Falzon, ESA

Projects on public right of ways such as snow clearing, road widening, road building, replacement of underground infrastructure (water, storm and sanitary) are contracted out by the Municipalities. High reach equipment such as dump trucks, excavators and boom equipment used on these projects may cause electrical safety hazards to workers and  the public. When high reach equipment comes into contact with the overhead powerlines, the equipment becomes energized causing serious injury or death to workers on the job site.

Over the past 10 years, the ESA has received over 1,300 reported contacts with overhead powerlines and approximately 750 contacts with underground electrical distribution systems. The majority of the contacts were from dump trucks in construction Zones.

This presentation will highlight the electrical hazards on the job site, how to identify the hazards and what can be done to stay safe.

Understanding the Rational and Intent with Z247 Standard

Sat Virdi, TSSA

Pipeline damages as it relates to Z247 Standard.

CSA Z663

Ed Plant, T2 Utility Engineers

Annie Thuan, City of Mississauga

CSA Z663 Land Use Planning in the Vicinity of Pipeline Systems was published on Sept. 21, 2018.  This session will be one of the first in Canada where this Standard will be discussed.  Participants will gain an understanding of what the Standard includes, the rationale behind how the Technical Committee developed this Standard, and what the Long Range Planning and Site Development recommended best practices suggest.

Transportation Association of Canada’s Guide for Utility Coordination on P3 Projects

Steve Murphy and Lawrence Arcand, T2 Utility Engineers

In light of the increase in large infrastructure projects that have utilized the Public/Private/Partnership procurement model, TAC’s Public Utilities Management Sub-committee has embarked on the development of a guideline that will outline a process/best practice to manage the Utility Coordination on these large scale projects. This presentation will provide an update on the status of the guideline and highlight some  of the projects that have influenced its development.

Enbridge Cross Bore/Damage Prevention Regulations

Jay Vanderhost, Enbridge Gas Distribution/Ann Newman Enbridge Pipelines Inc.

Enbridge Cross Bore

Jay Vanderhost, Enbridge Gas Distribution

Using rotating or water-jetting equipment to clear a blocked sewer can damage a natural gas line which has been unintentionally installed through the sewer (a crossbore). Trenchless installation technologies, which have been in use at Enbridge Gas Distribution for almost 40 years, can have the unintended consequence of unknowingly installing natural gas lines through sewer infrastructure. Sometimes crossbores are detected at the time of installation when an immediate problem is caused.  However many are undetected for years. Beginning in 2011, the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) required gas utilities in Ontario to implement a program to mitigate the risk related to natural gas lines that potentially intersected sewer lines when installed. This presentation will discuss circumstances in which crossbores are created and provide an overview of all aspects of Enbridge’s sewer safety program, including our free sewer safety inspections. The benefits of participation and support from municipalities will also be discussed.

Damage Prevention Regulations

Ann Newman Enbridge Pipelines Inc.

In 2016, The National Energy Board (NEB) introduced an updated policy for the Damage Prevention Regulations (DPR). Enbridge updated their crossing approval requirements to meet the updated regulations. Understanding the requirements of the crossing approval process will help to avoid delays in activity that will cross the NEB regulated pipeline in your area. This applies to installation of new facilities and mobile equipment crossing the right-of-way and pipeline.

Utilities and the Public Realm, Enhancement and Coordination

Tanya Lewinberg and John Lee, City of Markham

Tanya and John will conduct a two-part presentation regarding enhancement of utility infrastructure and utility coordination with trees. Tanya will discuss the City of Markham’s Traffic Control Cabinet Wrapping program. The City of Markham has been wrapping traffic control cabinets since 2014. The City has created a partnership with a secondary school to create the art work for this successful program. John will present utility coordination with trees and the best practices that utility companies can implement to avoid injuring trees that could cause future hazards. John will also present communication strategies that utility companies use to communicate with municipalities regarding their coordination affecting trees.

FCM and Utility Management Update

Ed Plant

Many changes are happening in the telecommunications world and in the regulatory world that oversees the Telcos.  This session will highlight the impact of some recent CRTC decisions and will provide information about how municipalities are dealing with Small Cell attachments, 5G proposals, and other telecommunication issues experienced by various cities across the country.

ROW Impacts A Micro Tunneling Case Study

Steve Conway, C.E.T., rcsi, PMP
Branch Manager, Partner

GM BluePlan Engineering Limited

Steve is a senior project manager with extensive experience in management of private development and infrastructure projects. His specialties include constructability reviews, trenchless and micro tunneling designs and linear infrastructure renewal including larger diameter watermain projects. Steve has been in civil engineering and construction for his entire career, including over 30 years at GM BluePlan Engineering in Guelph. He started as a surveyor and inspector and was promoted to field services manager supervising all field work and construction from the Guelph office. Steve is currently the Branch Manager of GM BluePlan’s Guelph office and an active project manager. His never ending drive and results-orientated approach has grown both the company and his own resume.

The installation of new infrastructure large and small pose a significant challenge when located in existing rights-of-way. Various installation technologies can be utilized based on the project’s right-of-way challenges. Micro tunnelling is one of these installation technologies. This session will discuss design and construction challenges encountered on a successful micro tunnelling project. It will also delve into coordination required with numerous stakeholders. This coordination included closing an intersection for 6 months, raising hydro and communication wires and relocating sections of gas mains, watermains and storm sewers.