Overview

• Name: Excavation of B2 Regina Tunnel,
• Client: Railroad Operating Authority
• Contract Value: $60 Million
• Contract Type: EPC
• Sector: Infrastructure
• Timeline: Feb – 2010 – Oct – 2014
• Location: Regina, Saskatchewan

Project Description

In order to accommodate the rapidly expanding city of Regina, the Highway 150 and 155 crossing tunnel project was proposed as a design and build project.

The B2 Regina Blue Tunnel Project was Saskatchewan first design-build transportation project. Claritel crews converted the 1940s-era railroad tunnel into a state-of-the-art multi-use rail/automobile tunnel.

The scope of work for this $60 million project included increasing the crown height by an average of 1.5 feet to allow the installation of six 75-hp jet fans. Also installed were four 300-hp portal fans designed to blow smoke and fumes away from motorists in the event of a fire or another emergency. Crews demolished existing buildings at both ends of the tunnel and replaced them with A-frame structures capable of withstanding avalanches. A first in Canadian tunnel construction, eight “safe houses” were constructed throughout the 2.6-mile-long tunnel, each capable of providing a fireproof haven for up to 55 people.

Crews battled high winds and dealt with 40-foot average annual snowfalls. Service train operations had to continue during the construction of the 16-foot-wide tunnel, which presented many scheduling and safety concerns for crews. Due to tight scheduling, team members placed heavy emphasis on partnering. The close cooperation between client, and our project management team, allowed the project to progress at an accelerated pace.