Kiewit Flatiron has won this year's Deputy Minister's Contractor of the Year Award for bridges and structures, for Phase 1 of the Port Mann/Highway 1 Improvement Project.

This project is the largest transportation project in B.C.'s history, built to alleviate traffic congestion on one of the busiest corridors in the province. On Dec. 1, 2012, Kiewit Flatiron delivered Phase 1 of the project on time and on budget, and drivers immediately began to experience travel-time savings of up to 30 minutes per day.

Phase 1 of the project included opening the new Port Mann Bridge to eight lanes of traffic and completing highway widening from 202 Street in Langley to Brunette Avenue in Coquitlam. This work included the reconstruction of interchanges at 176 Street, 160 Street and 152 Street.

New dedicated HOV and transit ramps at 202 Street and 156 Street provide fast and immediate access to Highway 1 for carpoolers, saving drivers time, fuel and money on their commute. These new transit options also allow for the first bus service over the Port Mann Bridge in 25 years.

The bridge is an iconic structure - one of the widest bridges in the world, the largest and longest main span river crossing in Western Canada, and the second-longest in North America.

The Deputy Minister's Contractor of the Year Awards recognize construction and maintenance companies demonstrating excellence in the categories of grading, paving, bridges and structures, and highway maintenance work throughout the province. There is also an award for excellence in safety innovation.

The 11th annual awards were hosted by the B.C. Road Builders & Heavy Construction Association on Dec. 6 in Victoria.

The other finalists in this category were Tybo Contracting Ltd. for the Highway 99 at 16th Avenue Interchange and Flatiron Constructors Canada Ltd. for the Donald Bridge project.

Quote:

Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Todd Stone -

"The Port Mann/Highway 1 Improvement Project is one of the most visible and impressive examples of construction excellence in B.C. Congratulations to the Kiewit Flatiron team for this exceptional accomplishment. Congratulations as well to the other finalists for their great work this year in keeping B.C.'s transportation network safe and efficient for the travelling public."

Photographs of the Deputy Minister's Contractor of the Year Award winners and finalists can be viewed at: http://www.th.gov.bc.ca/celebratingexcellence/contractors.htm

Media Contact:

Cindy Cousins
Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure
250 356-1572