McElhanney Consulting Services Ltd. took the top award for specialized engineering services at the 8th annual Deputy Minister's Consulting Engineers Awards, for its work on the Peace flood road repairs.

The total cost of repairs to the highway infrastructure affected by the Peace flood was approximately $52 million, after 160 millimetres of rainfall over 24 hours damaged 280 sites. Highway 97, which connects Dawson Creek and Prince George, was washed out in 16 locations alone. Over 140 roads were affected, including major routes used to move people and goods regionally and provincially. In addition to Highway 97 through the Pine Pass, damaged roads included the Dangerous Goods Route in Dawson Creek, Highway 52, Highway 29 and various side roads.

McElhanney Consulting was directly responsible for supervising the majority of sites within the Pine Pass, co-ordinating the work within 60 sites and with more than 150 people working at any given time. The company's supervision and co-ordination efforts got Highway 97 reopened quickly and traffic moving safely through this vital corridor, and its co-ordinated approach to working with other engineers and contractors and the ministry assured a successful outcome.

The Deputy Minister's Consulting Engineers Awards recognize technical excellence in consulting engineer services that improve transportation infrastructure in British Columbia. Finalists were chosen for projects completed in 2011 in the categories of:

• Design and Contract Preparation - Roads.
• Design and Contract Preparation - Structures.
• Construction Management and Supervision Services.
• Specialized Engineering Services.

Runners-up include six companies for work on the Highway 37A flood response, including McElhanney Consulting Services Ltd., DWB Consulting Services Ltd., Golder Associates Ltd., AMEC Earth & Environmental Ltd., R.F. Binnie & Associates Ltd. and Thurber Engineering Ltd.

Another runner-up was IBI Group of Vancouver for its work on the Highway 11 and 13 Advanced Traveller Information System Installation project.

Photos and videos can be viewed at: http://www.th.gov.bc.ca/celebratingexcellence/engineers.htm

Contact:

Cindy Cousins
Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure
250 356-9048