Meeting Challenges with
Innovative Initiatives
Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure pursues new models to
address safety and capacity issues
Submitted by the Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure
Demands on our land-locked province have grown
exponentially in the last eight years. Not only has
Saskatchewan’s population reached a new peak of
approximately 1.14 million people, but our export economy has al-so
developed and we are seeing more goods delivered to market
than ever before. Due to this growth, the Ministry of Highways and
Infrastructure (MHI) is facing significant infrastructure challenges,
including safety and capacity concerns, on some of our busiest roads.
As a result, MHI is actively pursuing innovative approaches to ad-dress
vital infrastructure needs for Saskatchewan. In fact, there are
a number of innovations that have had significant impact on our
ability to enhance our infrastructure.
For more than six years, innovative procurement models have
been one tool used in Saskatchewan to tackle major infrastruc-ture
projects. They have allowed MHI to build large-scale projects
at a lower cost and within a shorter timeframe than the traditional
design-bid-build model. This means the ministry is able to address
the immediate needs of our growing province.
The Regina Bypass (Bypass), which is the largest infrastructure
project in Saskatchewan’s history, is an example of this type of pro-curement.
As a public-private partnership (P3) project, the Bypass
will address safety concerns east of Regina, while moving heavy
truck traffic around the city with improved connectivity to the
National Highway System. At completion, the Bypass will include
new features and innovations that will enhance safety and mobil-ity
for motorists.
These features and innovations include systems interchang-es
at Tower Road and Highway 1 West that will allow high-speed
traffic to use the bypass around the south side of the city at a safe
speed. Further, a diverging diamond interchange (DDI) at the Pilot
Butte Access will provide an innovative interchange that han-dles
high volumes of left turns safer and more efficiently. Also,
a DDI results in a smaller footprint, which means that less land
is needed. For a complete animated flyover of the Bypass, visit
www.highways.gov.sk.ca/Regina_bypass.
Additionally, on the Bypass is the Intelligent Transportation
System (ITS). This technical innovation adds to the safety, efficien-cy
and reliability of the project. It will apply advanced technology
to relay valuable traveler information, including the monitoring of
commercial vehicles, through sensors and cameras. A data man-agement
centre will enable a centralization of the ITS infrastruc-ture
across the province as well as for the Bypass. This technology is
far more sophisticated than what has been historically used by MHI
and is a sign of how the ministry is adapting to the environment
while improving safety for motorists.
However, beyond these procurement, design and technical inno-vations,
MHI recognizes that an invaluable component of our suc-cess
is our collaborative relationships with industry, contractors
and consultants. Engaging in these partnerships allows us to in-crease
our awareness of emerging trends and assists in making key
decisions that meet our current and future needs.
The tri-party steering committee comprised of MHI,
Saskatchewan Heavy Construction Association (SHCA) and the
Association of Consulting Engineering Companies – Saskatchewan
(ACEC-SK) works to identify relevant issues and discuss solutions.
Out of this committee, recommended improvements to MHI’s ten-der
and contract administration have been discussed and adopt-ed,
where appropriate. As a result, an estimated 70 to 75 per cent of
contracts were substantially completed on time during our last con-struction
season.
In consultation with the committee and other industry stake-holders,
MHI has recently implemented a best-value procurement
model, which extends to a larger array of construction projects than
currently covered by design-build and P3 models. It will allow the
ministry to consider criteria, in addition to cost, in its construction
contract award decisions, including a contractor’s ability to com-plete
a quality project on time and in a safe and environmentally
responsible manner. By focusing on important factors beyond the
lowest price bid, MHI not only gains the best value for money but
also ensures that the design meets current and future capacity and
safety needs for the province.
While there is diversity in the pursuit of safety and innovation,
each opportunity is a result of a continuous desire to develop re-lationships,
improve systems and enhance technology so we can
pursue advancements in efficiency and safety for Saskatchewan
motorists.
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