2024 Award for Specialized Engineering Services

Nominees

The nominees for the 2024 Award of Excellence Specialized Engineering Services are:

Urban Systems Ltd.

Project: Highway 16 – Terrace Commercial Vehicle Inspection Station
Location: Highway 16, Terrace

In the northwest region of British Columbia, Urban Systems Ltd. designed the Terrace commercial vehicle inspection station on Highway 16. Beginning in 2018, this project aimed to fill the void that the decommissioned inspection facility left. Completed ahead of schedule, the project features advanced technology, a new weigh scale, and a covered truck inspection station to reduce accidents on B.C. highways.

The facility prioritizes user experience, offering high-tech amenities for Commercial Vehicle Safety and Enforcement (CVSE) staff and serving as a reference point for customers. From accurate scales to overnight parking, it aims to set a standard for accessibility. Overcoming challenges, the team ensured quality construction, integrating electronic systems for seamless operation. While focused on safety, the project also provides a secure environment for active transportation. The Highway 16 – Terrace commercial vehicle inspection station reflects innovation and dedication, setting a new standard for inspection facilities in our province.

DMD & Associates

Project: Highway 1 – Lighting System Replacement For Saddle Rock And Sailor Bar 
Location: Highway 1 between Yale and Spuzzum

Consulting engineer DMD & Associates led this significant upgrade of the Sailor Bar and Saddle Rock Fraser Canyon tunnels, addressing outdated lighting and electrical systems. The existing lights were visibly deteriorating, falling short of contemporary tunnel lighting standards. The aging systems posed an escalating risk of equipment failures and potential hazards on the roadway.

DMD & Associates replaced worn-out components with new, durable equipment, boasting a lifespan of more than 30 years. This strategic design aimed to lessen the risk of traffic incidents within the tunnels, ensuring safer travel. The modern lighting features an advanced control system, allowing drivers to see objects more clearly. The system also automatically adjusts the lighting to match outdoor conditions, seamless transitions between outdoor and tunnel environments, making it easier on traveler’s eyes.

Located in a crucial travel corridor, connecting the Lower Mainland with the rest of the province, enhanced safety measures in these tunnels  are a model for modern tunnel lighting along the corridor. 

Winner

Urban Systems Ltd.

Project: Highway 16 – Terrace Commercial Vehicle Inspection Station
Location: Highway 16, Terrace