Awards
summit award® recipients
the environmental
excellence award
deerfoot trail
south extension project
Recognizes excellence in the application of engineering, geological and geophysical methods towards preservation of the environment and the practice of sustainable development.
The Deerfoot Trail South Extension Project was undertaken on behalf of Alberta Transportation, the project owner, by a partnership of engineering consulting firms: AMEC Earth & Environmental, AMEC Infrastructure, Associated Engineering and UMA Engineering Ltd. November 28, 2003 marked the official opening of the Deerfoot Trail South extension.
This consultant partnership was responsible for managing the design and construction from the Bow River south, and managed the paving contract and reclamation monitoring for the entire roadway, north and south of the Bow River. This highly-anticipated project was the culmination of efforts by an extensive team of consultants and contractors.
The roadway completes a missing link in Highway 2, which forms part of the North- South Trade Corridor through Alberta. The 11 km of new freeway extends from Highway 22X in southeast Calgary to the existing Highway 2/2A interchange near Okotoks. The project team incorporated numerous design innovations to significantly reduce traffic congestion, maximize traffic safety and preserve the world-renowned Bow River trout fishing area and the Bow Valley wildlife corridors.
A comprehensive study of the potential environmental effects of the project was completed, including detailed site surveys of: wildlife; fisheries; soils and surface; and groundwater. This study formed the basis for the development of effective, site-specific environmental mitigations.
Innovative and specialized measures were designed and implemented to mitigate environmental impacts and enhance habitats. These included: realignment of the Bow River bridge to avoid a river sidechannel; minimization of instream disturbance and fish habitat impacts through innovative bridge design and materials, scheduling and environmental monitoring; creation of wildlife habitat through native plantings of grasses and woody species; construction of three wildlife corridors including a multi-plate culvert wildlife underpass; innovative stormwater management to minimize sedimentation; and fish habitat restoration and enhancements associated with the realignment of Pine Creek.