Project Summary

Client
Kicking Horse Canyon Constructors

Budget
$601,000,000

Services
Quality Auditing

Market
Transportation

Project Description

This project was helmed by Kicking Horse Canyon Constructors, who were selected by the Province of British Columbia to design and build what would be a successful venture in southeastern B.C.  It was a joint effort comprised of Aecon, Parsons Corporation, and Emil Anderson Construction.

All four phases of the Kicking Horse Canyon Project were successfully completed in 2024. The project aimed to:

  • Upgrade approximately 4.8 kilometres of highway through the most challenging section of the canyon to improve safety.
  • Realign 13 curves and widen the highway to four lanes with median barrier and wider shoulders to accommodate cyclists.
  • Mitigate rock fall and avalanche hazards with bridges, rock catchment ditches, and other safety measures.
  • Add wildlife-exclusion fencing and wildlife passage opportunities to reduce vehicle-animal collisions.

Our Role

The Quality Audit team at RAM was brought on to plan, prepare, execute, report, and follow up on critical tasks of compliance to the project.  This included designing a comprehensive project plan which outlined the quality management inspection of construction, traffic, environmental, and health and safety factors.

 

Project Highlights

  • Phase 1 – Yoho Bridge: 3.2 kms of highway upgrades and 2 new (twin) bridge structures complete 2006.
  • Phase 2 – Park Bridge: replace park bridge, 5.8 kms of 4-lane highway, and new rest area complete 2007.
  • Phase 3 East – Brake Check to Yoho National Park: 4-lane upgrade with median barrier, 3-meter shoulders, wildlife fencing/crossings and replace Mt. Hunter Creek Bridge complete 2011.
  • Phase 3 West – Golden Hill to West Portal: highway grade reduction, access consolidation, pedestrian/cycling improvements, wildlife fencing/crossings and established west portal for Phase 4 alignments through Canyon complete 2013.