insights Brun-way highway

Project Overview

In August 2005, the design and construction of a 98km stretch of the Trans-Canada Highway commenced, it was one of the largest infrastructure projects undertaken in New Brunswick. In just 27 months, 98 kilometres of twinned four-lane highway were newly constructed, and 128 kilometres of the existing four-lane Trans-Canada Highway were updated. The province now has one of the most modern highways in the world thanks to an excellent partnership between the public and private sector. The partnership brought innovations in financing and technology, resulting in the highest quality standards for road construction and operations at the time. At peak construction, more than 1,100 construction workers and a dozen New Brunswick construction and engineering firms were involved in the project. The four-lane highway was opened on time, delivered on budget, and with no claims.

Delivery Type

Trans-Canada Highway Construction Inc. was a joint venture formed by AtkinsRéalis , Atcon Construction and the province of New-Brunswick to complete the twinning of the Trans-Canada Highway in New Brunswick. Once completed, the P3 arrangement allowed for the O&M team to preserve, operate and reinvest in the asset in a highly cost-effective manner. Under the terms of the P3 agreement—one of the first of its kind in New Brunswick—AtkinsRéalis bears all risks associated with operations, maintenance and rehabilitation. AtkinsRéalis holds a 70 percent stake in the project, is responsible for the operation, maintenance and rehabilitation of 275 kilometres of the four-lane highway from the Quebec Border to Longs Creek (west of Fredericton), and between Woodstock and the US border (Route 95), until the year 2033. This work includes, but is not limited to the following: 

• Asset Management;
• OMR Traffic Management and Incident Response Plans;
• Highway corridor management activities;
• Control of land development adjacent to the highway;
• Infrastructure and project management;
• Preventative maintenance of infrastructure;
• Planned (and unplanned) repairs and rehabilitation;
• Road maintenance including sanding, salting and snow removal

Recognition and awards

Trans-Canada Highway Construction Inc. has received the following awards and recognition:
• Safe and Sustainable Snowfighting Award— the project has won this award on an annual basis since its inception in 2012. The award from the Salt Institute recognizes excellence in environmental consciousness and effective management in the storage of winter road salt.
• The 2018 Road Safety Engineering award from the Transportation Association of Canada, for their Safety Swing Arm (to prevent collisions with snow plows— it consists of a 10’ arm installed in the back of the lead plow truck. When the right-wing is deployed, the arm will extend to create a physical barrier between the motorists and the right wing. The final design was completed in August 2013).
• The silver award in the infrastructure category, by the Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnerships (The Trans-Canada Highway project was the first highway infrastructure project in Canada to require its private-sector partner to finance construction of the project, with payment only once the highway opened to traffic) in November 2008.
• The ISO 9001 and 14,001 certifications ahead of schedule (3 months prior to deadline) as the ISO certifications were required prior to commencing construction in 2005.