SNC Lavalin Inc. of Metro Vancouver took the top award for Alternative Transportation at the 13th annual Deputy Minister’s Consulting Engineers Awards, for its exceptional work on the Evergreen Line.

“The Evergreen Line is vital to our transportation infrastructure, and thanks to the work of SNC Lavalin Inc., B.C. now has the longest fully automated rapid transit line in the world,” said Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Todd Stone. “The team delivered a world-class project, and congratulations are owed for their help in keeping British Columbians on the move.”

The Evergreen Line is automated and driverless, and runs along a dedicated guide way, avoiding all conflict with vehicle traffic. Travelling at the maximum speed of 80 km per hour, the Evergreen Line’s rapidity and reliability is expected to reduce about 40,000 vehicles a day on the road by 2021. With Evergreen Line now included in the SkyTrain system, B.C. claims the longest fully automated rapid transit line in the world.

“Our heartfelt thanks go to SNC Lavalin Inc., for the team’s tenacious ability to exceed expectations on this project,” said Vancouver-False Creek MLA Sam Sullivan. “During the tunnel boring operation, the contractor encountered significant challenges, yet because of SNC’s innovative construction technique, the Evergreen Line opened to the public on Dec. 2, 2016, instead of the estimated date of early 2017.”

The other finalist in this category was McElhanney Consulting Services Ltd., Urban Systems Ltd. and Binnie Consulting Ltd. for work on the Pattullo Bridge Traffic Diversion Impact Mitigation.

The Deputy Minister’s Consulting Engineers Awards recognize technical excellence in consulting engineer services that improve transportation infrastructure in B.C. Finalists were chosen for their work in 2016 in the categories of:

• Design and Contract Preparation – Roads
• Design and Contract Preparation – Structures
• Construction Management and Supervision Services
• Specialized Engineering Services
• Alternative Transportation

Learn More:

Further information, including videos and photographs of the award winners and finalists can be viewed at: www.gov.bc.ca/celebratingexcellencetransportation

To follow the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, go to: www.tranbc.ca