Nouvelles
FNX-INNOV mandated for the extension of Route 138 to link the Lower North Shore communities
FNX-INNOV’s team of Materials Engineering and Quality Control specialists has been commissioned by the Ministère des Transports et de la Mobilité durable to carry out quality control and materials engineering for the extension of Route 138. The 9.1-km stretch between Tête-à-la-Baleine and La Tabatière will help reduce the isolation of residents who currently have to travel by boat, plane or snowmobile.
The Highway 138 extension project aims to link the communities of the Lower North Shore to each other and to the rest of Quebec. Nearly 5,000 residents live in this region, which is divided into five municipalities, one unorganized territory and two aboriginal communities, along nearly 400 km of the St. Lawrence River. Until now, the population of the Lower North Shore has had to rely on sea or air services to meet its needs. Only in winter is the region accessible by land via the Route blanche, a snowmobile trail. The overall project was segmented into several sections, including the “Tête-à-la-Baleine to La Tabatière” section, for which FNX-INNOV was awarded a mandate.
A complex mandate and major logistical challenges
The mandate obtained by FNX-INNOV for this project involved quality control and materials engineering for the construction of two road segments with a total length of 9.1 km, as well as a 161.2 m span steel-concrete structure including three continuous spans composed of steel beams. The structure is considered complex and will cross the Lac de Gros-Mécatina river. Specific technical elements involving the treatment of organic soils, as well as clay consolidation work using pre-loading backfill, counterweights and the installation of vertical drains will be carried out as part of this mandate.
A number of challenges await our team in terms of logistics, geography and climate. Firstly, due to the remoteness of the site, transportation of equipment by boat, plane and helicopter will be necessary, and potential delays due to weather conditions are to be expected. In addition, it will be necessary to install a materials testing laboratory directly on the worksite, so that work can be carried out nearby. Secondly, the local manufacture of granular materials and cement concrete will present compliance challenges. Finally, the short summer period will require adaptations for cold-weather work, with clear communication of expectations to the contractor.
The main activities to be carried out as part of the mandate will include the following:
- Draw up the Quality Control and Action Plan (QCAP) and update it as work progresses;
- Verify and approve the conformity of all materials used;
- Verification and acceptance of cement concrete mix specification sheets;
- Take samples on site or directly from the supplier;
- Carry out laboratory tests on all samples taken during construction and submitted;
- Advice to the supervisor on the preparation of subgrade soils or engineering structure foundations, the location of transitions or any problems related to soil behavior;
- Verification of placement and compactness of granular materials of all types;
- Verification of placement and compactness, including sampling of asphalt mixes (not planned a priori);
- Perform tests on fresh or hardened concrete;
- Compilation of site logs, intervention with supervisor and transmission of appropriate recommendations;
- Attend worksite meetings as quality assurance representative for the Department;
- Analysis and transmission to supervisor of test/measurement results for material control in laboratory and on site;
- If necessary, sample and analyze soil or water from excavations to verify the level of contamination in accordance with current regulations;
- Receiving inspection of steel elements and assisting with bolt assembly and tightening;
- Control of backfill placement in peat bog areas or areas subject to settlement;
- Monitoring of instrumentation during consolidation and clay behavior in peat bog areas.
Environmental protection and community involvement
The area where the work will take place is characterized by a rich and pristine fauna and flora, which must be delimited, relocated and restored at all costs following any development or construction activity within the scope of this mandate. The protection of archaeological sites along the limits of the planned section of road, as well as any heritage elements or artifacts known or discovered during earthworks, will be of prime importance. The work will be carried out on the territory of two Innu communities, Pakua Shipu and Unamen Shipu. In fact, according to information released by the Ministry, part of the work is scheduled to be carried out by the Pakua Shipu community. Our company and our employees are committed to respecting the mores and traditions of the local communities, and we undertake to contribute to the local economy in our own way whenever possible, or to participate in social activities.
We look forward to applying our expertise and experience with complex projects to bring tangible benefits to the residents of the Lower North Shore.