HOW POMERLEAU IS REFURBISHING AN ESSENTIAL PIECE OF WEST COAST INFRASTRUCTURE

Esquimalt, British Columbia is home to federally-owned Esquimalt Graving Dock, the largest non-military hard bottom dry dock on the west coast of the Americas. The dock continues to provide essential services to the Royal Canadian Navy and Canadian Coast Guard fleets in the Pacific. It provides large economic advantages to the region’s industrial marine sector by providing world-class ship repair, refit, and maintenance.

To ensure the longevity and success of the dock, which is nearly 100 years old, Pomerleau, a leader in the Canadian construction industry, is refurbishing the existing infrastructure for Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC).

The repair and extension of the eastern end of the dry dock by 36m, is nearly complete. The existing structure was refurbished by installing rebar and reconstructing the damaged concrete in between the granite slabs and walls that form the dock. 1900m3 of concrete was demolished and 3700m3 was cast in place. In total, 500m2 of damaged concrete was repaired. Drainage repairs were made and cracks to the granite were sealed. The extension will add nearly 20% capacity to the dock. The project will increase its capacity to lodge vessels up to 150 metres long.

The nature of the project indicates the need for a team that responds well to a fast-paced environment. Project Manager, Alexandre Jean believes adaptability is the most valuable skill to have when working on the dock. “Due to the nature of the project, and because the infrastructure is nearly 100 years-old, priorities can change at any time and are subject to the requirements of the structure. Our tasks are constantly evolving, and our team is well adapted to this aspect of the work,” said Jean.

Much of the work done on the project is self-performed, meaning the labour is sourced and managed in-house. Pomerleau hired a team of skilled trades to perform the labour instead of subcontracting the main scope and works. The concrete, formwork and rock excavation for this project were managed by Pomerleau. The blasting of 18000m3 of rock and excavation of soil was a part of the extension, which led to the construction of the slab and walls. “There are many benefits for the client concerning self-performed work,” said Jean. “It gives way to a streamlined process of work. The clients can count on our expertise and our enhanced authority over the schedule and planning, without having to deal with third parties.”

The team is working hard and putting in a lot of hours. Most of the construction activities were completed on a seven-day working calendar, including a night shift to complete this challenging project. All the efforts have been deployed within a short period of time to ensure the client’s activities at the dock can resume safely and efficiently.