KICKING HORSE CANYON PROJECT

June 2004 to present; Project value: $730 million

www.kickinghorsecanyon.ca

Project Summary: The Kicking Horse Canyon Project, being undertaken with federal funding assistance, involves upgrading approximately 26 kilometres of the Trans Canada Highway from the junction of Highway 95 in Golden to the western boundary of Yoho National Park to a modern four lane standard, including bridge replacements.

The project, which includes the construction of several new and replacement bridges, is being undertaken in three phases, the latter of which is to be delivered under a DBFO arrangement which will ultimately cover the operation and maintenance of all improvements undertaken in the project.  Phase 1 of the project, involving the construction of a new Yoho (5 Mile) Bridge and approaches, is nearing completion.  Phase 2, the replacement of Park (10-Mile) Bridge is under construction with completion expected in 2008, while Phase 3 is in the early planning stages and will address improvements to the balance of the corridor.

Activities: As part of the owner’s engineer team, JS&A provides advice and services in stakeholder relations and public consultation to the Ministry of Transportation.  This includes strategic management and support to the Ministry’s project management team and PAB in:

• Public consultation and communications strategy development

• Defining the respective roles and responsibilities of the Ministry and the Design-Build-Finance-Operate
  (DBFO) contractor with respect to communications and stakeholder relations

• Open houses and information sessions (including notification and advertising)

• Facilitating communications with key stakeholders, particularly with a view to minimizing and mitigating construction impacts

• Municipal relations and Council presentations

• Website content development

• Media relations support

• Project and issues management

Results: Local, provincial, national and international awareness for the Kicking Horse Canyon Project is high.  Input is being solicited and applied in the design process, and an ongoing dialogue has been developed with the establishment of a liaison committee representing a cross-section of the local community and other key stakeholders.