Coquitlam Ridge Constructors of Surrey has won this year’s Deputy Minister’s Contractor of the Year Award in the category of bridges and structures for the Road 40 - Apple Springs Bluff Bridge project west of Lillooet.

“No matter how careful the planning, the unexpected can happen. What is important is the response, and this company quickly, and competently, realigned a bridge approach to overcome a geotechnical problem,” said Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Todd Stone. “Congratulations as well to all the finalists for their outstanding work on B.C.’s transportation network this year.”

Coquitlam Ridge Constructors was awarded a $386,000 contract to construct a new two-lane 17.5-metre-long bridge to replace the existing structure on Lillooet/Pioneer Road 40, which forms a crucial link between the communities of Lillooet and Gold Bridge.

The contractor was able to overcome a significant geotechnical issue encountered midway through the project by working closely with the ministry engineering team to identify and implement an immediate solution, and still completed the work on time and on budget. As well, Coquitlam Ridge Constructors ensured minimal disruptions to Bridge River residents through excellent stakeholder relations and worked with the community to employ local personnel for traffic control and labour.

“Coquitlam Ridge Constructors deserves recognition for quality projects and its commitment to working with local communities,” said Surrey-Tynehead MLA Amrik Virk. “It’s a small, dynamic company that does big things in a big way.”

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, safety innovation, and highway maintenance work throughout the province.

The 13th annual awards were hosted by the B.C. Road Builders & Heavy Construction Association on Friday, Dec. 4 in Victoria.

The other finalists in this category were Kingston Construction Ltd. for the Highway 1 Nelson Creek Bridge rehabilitation and seismic retrofit and Forbes Industrial Contractors Ltd. for the Bissett Creek Bridge replacement.

Quick Facts:

• Rehabilitating Highways, bridges and side roads is a top priority under B.C. on the Move, and $180 million is being invested over the next three years to repair and replace provincial bridges. This is a 50% increase in bridge rehabilitation funding from previous years.

Learn more:

Information including videos and photographs of the Deputy Minister’s Contractor of the Year Award winners and finalists can be viewed at: http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content?id=21210EA42C0B44E89988247CED288762​ 

Follow the work of the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure online at: www.tranbc.ca