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Archive for August, 2009

Walkerton Clean Water Centre Building and Program Expansion

The Walkerton Clean Water Centre (WCWC) is a world-class institute dedicated to ensuring that training and education about drinking water quality is available and accessible to owners and operators of Ontario’s drinking water systems, especially to those serving small and remote communities.

Walkerton Clean Water Centre

Established in 2004, the Centre features a state-of-the-art technology demonstration facility, providing a unique opportunity for hands-on training and serving as a practical resource for operators, operating authorities and owners of drinking water systems.

According to the Daily Commercial News the Centre is moving to a new larger location on October 30, 2009. Since it opened in 2004, the centre has trained more than 18,000 people. The new facility (19,150 ft2) will double the current space. More on this story…..

Learn More: WCWC New Courses

Centreline: Additional training and skills development for core civil public works employees is imperative.

By Graham Zeisner in Water on August 28th, 2009 - No Comments »
Tags: Walkerton Clean Water Centre

Site 41 – aka North Simcoe Landfill – Information Session Heats Up

Protest signs on site of proposed North Simcoe landfill (photo courtesy of Canadian Water Treatment)

Little did I realize that Kerry Freek’s post – ‘Fighting for Aquifers’ – in Canadian Water Treatment was so timely and relevant.

Her central topic – a proposed landfill site in Tiny Township/Simcoe County – has created a considerable, well organized and informed group of protestors who are using a website and Twitter feed to update the public and maintain momentum for their cause. (This is Web 2.0 at its finest… constituents interacting and communicating in a bi-directional fashion with their government.)

Today the protesters and those just interested got another chance to be heard at a public information session that hopefully will clear the air however it appears that the County politicians and consultants took plenty of heat and criticism for this project.

Learn More: North Simcoe Landfill (Site 41) Information (e.g. fact sheets, lab tests etc.)

Centreline: Well informed and engaged constituents enhance Municipal decision making.

By Graham Zeisner in Municipal Elected Officials, Solid Waste Disposal/Recycling on August 25th, 2009 - No Comments »
Tags: Simcoe County, Site 41, Tiny Township

ORBA Promotes Fair & Transparent Public Tenders

Local Preference Policies Will Turn the Clock Back

One of the objectives of the Ontario Road Builders Association (ORBA) is to develop and maintain the highest standards of construction and business methods in the road building industry.

Ontario Road Builders Association

As Executive Director, Rob Bradford hears first-hand about any irregularities in Municipal tendering policies. Some recent issues – as he reports in the Daily Commercial News – have his membership very concerned.

Quote from the DCN: “There is no room for local preference policies, accepting non-compliant bids, accepting late tenders, conducting negotiations after tender closing or any of the many other practices that have been adopted by some municipalities and pose a threat to the system”

Learn More: Full story in the Daily Commercial News

By Graham Zeisner in Association, Roads & Bridges on August 21st, 2009 - No Comments »
Tags: ORBA, Rob Bradford

Pavement Preservation Journal – Summer 2009

The Foundation for Pavement Preservation is a non-profit organization supported by the pavement preservation industry; contractors, material suppliers, equipment manufacturers, consulting engineers, and academia.

The quarterly Pavement Preservation Journal includes case study articles from industry and government agencies on field experiences with all aspects of pavement preservation, as well as abstracts of technical papers.

Learn More: Summer 2009 Pavement Preservation Journal

Providing resources to advance knowledge for managing and preserving pavements

By Graham Zeisner in Roads & Bridges on August 21st, 2009 - No Comments »

Innovative Bridge Construction Eliminates Concrete Exposure

Keeping in mind the pictures in my post “Canada’s Crumbling Bridge Infrastructure”, any new and inventive engineering idea for structures is most welcome. Particularly when the creator – Habib Dagher, Professor Civil/Structural Engineering from UMaine’s Advanced Structures and Composites Center says the bridges are faster and cheaper to build, and last longer than conventional bridges.

The so-called “bridge in a backpack” process features a carbon fiber fabric that’s unfolded, inflated and coated with a resin at the job site. Then it’s filled with concrete. Using concrete-filled carbon fibre forms eliminates the need for steel rebar or structural steel–which are expensive and also degrade.

The composite shell provides a protective barrier that keeps out road salt, chemicals and moisture, which eventually penetrate conventional bridges and cause rust. As Dagher told a local paper: “You know what happens to concrete and rebar with the environment in Maine. Water gets in there and it cracks, it freezes, and breaks up the concrete. Now water can’t get in there. The concrete is completely protected from the environment so bridges can last quite a bit longer.”

Sound like a good idea…..full story and pictures in the Infrastructurist.

By Graham Zeisner in Roads & Bridges on August 20th, 2009 - No Comments »

Canada’s Crumbling Bridge Infrastructure

The Province of Quebec has invested $11.6 B for bridge and overpass rehabilitation and maintenance (2007-10).

While travelling in Quebec this past weekend I couldn’t help but notice this bridge that is apparently in dire need of rehabilitation. It reminded me of the unexpected bridge collapse (Rue de la Concorde near Montreal) that killed 5 people and injured 6. Since that time, the Quebec Ministry of Transportation ramped up inspection of all bridges in their jurisdiction and held a public inquiry.

Improper rebar detailing during the design of the de la Concorde’s abutments; improper rebar installation at the time of construction and use of a low quality concrete, which proved to be inadequate to withstand freeze-thaw cycles in the presence of road salts, all created a foundation for the bridge’s collapse on Sept. 30, 2006, the commission stated.

After the commission report was released, the Quebec government announced $11.6 billion in funding, over the next four years, for bridge and overpass maintenance. A new bridge and overpass agency responsible for maintenance of the structures was created.

Learn More: Final Commission Report (extremely comprehensive and educational)

The Ontario Good Roads Association (OGRA) is currently updating their Municipal Data Works (MDW) website and their bridge inspection module. According to the MDW newsletter the new module will incorporate changes made to the Ontario Structure Inspection Manual (OSIM) in 2008 by MTO. In addition, rehabilitation and repair information can be stored and structure rehabilitation requirement reports can be prepared.

CentreLine: Quote from the commission report “Bridge rehabilitation is just one of many modernisation projects Québec must undertake and one that should not be neglected because bridges are just as important to our quality of life as roads, waterworks and sewer systems, drinking water and wastewater treatment plants, public buildings, schools, hospitals, public transit systems and parks”.

[View with PicLens]

By Graham Zeisner in Roads & Bridges, Winter on August 18th, 2009 - No Comments »
Tags: bridge infrastructure, Municipal Data Works, OGRA, Quebec

ICLEI Global e-News

ICLEI – Local Government for Sustainability is a membership association of local governments and national and regional local government associations that have made a unique commitment to sustainable development. ICLEI is made up of 1099 local governments, representing over 400 million people worldwide.

The following Ontario municipalities are members:

Caledon, Durham & York Regions, Essex, Greater Sudbury, Toronto, Guelph, Hamilton, Kitchener, Mississauga, Oakville, Ottawa, Halton Hills, The Blue Mountains.

This is their August Global e-News.

By Graham Zeisner in Association on August 17th, 2009 - No Comments »

Promoting Careers in Local Government

Students - like this inspector in the foreground - need support to pursue a career in Municipal technical operations.

I just received UPDATE from the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (AMCTO). One of the articles discusses the Municipal Internship Program. The program – a partnership between the Province and AMCTO – received $125,000 in support.

It aims to attract young university graduates to careers in local government and build a core of young professionals to help address municipal succession planning. This is a great initiative by AMCTO. The 6 host Municipalities and their respective interns deserve a great deal of credit and continued financial support from the government.

The Municipal Internship Program is administered by AMCTO with active support from MAH staff, the University of Western Ontario, Seneca College and the Ontario Municipal Administrators Association

I think that the Association of Ontario Road Supervisors (AORS) and their partners should consider setting up a similiar program for successful technical students who are interested in a Municipal civil infrastructure operations/construction career.

Learn More: Interns Program Gets a Boost.

CentreLine: Career development opportunities and proper succession planning arrangements are important in Municipal governments.

By Graham Zeisner in Association, Municipal Elected Officials on August 13th, 2009 - No Comments »
Tags: AMCTO, AORS, Jim Watson, OMAA, Seneca College, University of Western Ontario

Career Opportunity With AORS

AORS Corporate Directors and Staff

Founded in 1961, the Association of Ontario Road Supervisors (AORS) is the premier Provincial public works training and accreditation Association. AORS provides opportunities for public works professionals to exchange ideas, increase professional proficiency and performance for themselves, their agencies and companies.

AORS has experienced significant growth in all program areas over the last few years due to the support and determination of members, staff and dedicated volunteer Directors. To assist the corporation manage this period of expansion the Board of Directors has approved a contractual (one year) Support Services Coordinator position.

Bryan Clarke, AORS CAO, says the successful candidate “will play a key role in all aspects of the Corporation with special emphasis and effort directed to expanding our education, training and professional development (Certified Road Supervisor/CRS) services”.

The job posting and job description can be uploaded here…..

Learn More: AORS Organizational Chart

CentreLine: AORS is the most important, relevant and inclusive grass roots public works Association in Ontario.

By Graham Zeisner in Association on August 12th, 2009 - No Comments »
Tags: AORS, Bryan Clarke, Certification, professional development

Caterpillar Poised to Benefit From Global Economic Recovery

When AORS printed their 2009 Spotlight magazine – annual directory of Supplier goods and services – the publication was missing one major advertiser. That same supplier was noticeably absent from our annual Trade Show, in Leamington (June 3^rd/4^th).

The 2009 AORS Trade Show featured a wide range of Municipal and construction equipment

Now we know why. According to the Daily Commercial News, Caterpillar – the world’s largest maker of mining and construction equipment – reported its first quarterly loss in 17 years in April and reported a 66 per cent drop in second-quarter earnings last month. To control costs (including advertising and trade shows no doubt) and get back on track 22,000 positions will be eliminated. It employed 112,887 people at the end of 2008 and 95,761 at the end of June.

The Association of Ontario Road Supervisors (AORS) is proud of our affiliation with 100’s of Provincial, Canadian and International suppliers. Their marketing and sales representatives are an important segment of our membership. We appreciate their participation and hope that their respective companies benefit from the improving economic climate.

Caterpillar equipment is a common sight on almost every major construction project and in Municipal works operations yards. Their long-term forecast is excellent. We hope to see them back in the Spotlight – literally and figuratively – and at the AORS Trade Show (Northumberland County) in 2010.

CentreLine: AORS and our Suppliers make a good team.

By Graham Zeisner in AORS, Association, Fleet on August 11th, 2009 - No Comments »
Tags: AORS, Caterpillar, Northumberland County, Spotlight