Dream 50 Building Earthworks & Underground
Client:
Ledcor
Location:
Balzac, Alberta
Year:
2024
Project Scope
Whissell served as Subcontractor to Ledcor for the earthworks and underground utility installation at the Balzac Business Park a mixed-use development designated for retail, commercial, industrial, and general business park uses north of Calgary. The project involved a comprehensive civil scope including site grading, pond construction, and approximately 4,400 lm of underground pipe installation.
- Topsoil stripping to stockpile; common excavation to embankment; offsite embankment and export
- Tentomat ST placement; pond fine grading; native material cut to fill over liner; aggregate cover over liner
- Dewatering operations throughout earthworks program
- ~4,400 lm of underground pipe including:
- Onsite sanitary sewer: 250 mm–300 mm PVC with 1,200 mm diameter manholes and tie-ins
- Onsite storm sewer: 250 mm PVC–900 mm concrete (Class 4) at 4–7 m depth with manholes, catch basins, inlet control device, oil and grit separator, and 900 mm flared end with riprap
- Offsite storm and sanitary sewer catch basin removal, replacement, and lead extensions
- Offsite water: 400 mm PVC watermain (535 lm) with valve, tee fitting, and hot tap tie-in
- Onsite water: 150 mm–250 mm watermain with valves, hydrants, check valves, and hot tap tie-ins
- Onsite irrigation: 250 mm PVC and 150 mm–250 mm HDPE DR11 with pump house sump and manhole
Challenge & Mitigation
The mixed-use nature of the Balzac Business Park resulted in a higher-complexity infrastructure design than a typical industrial site, with multiple utility systems requiring precise coordination of installation sequencing. Dewatering management across the earthworks program required continuous monitoring and pump management to maintain stable working conditions for both grading and underground crews.
Value Add Solution
Whissell's integrated delivery of both the earthworks and underground scopes under a single subcontract allowed for real-time coordination between grading and utility installation crews, ensuring that pond grading and liner placement were sequenced to align with underground tie-in requirements and avoid rework.
