Project Description

Robinson Consultants Inc. was retained by the City of Ottawa to undertake the preliminary and detailed design for area traffic management and bioretention measures along Hemmingwood Way. The primary objectives of the assignment were to reduce the existing surface runoff through the implementation of bioretention measures and improve traffic safety along Hemmingwood Way. The proposed work included six bioretention rain gardens, two mid-block narrowings and a median, one intersection narrowing, and a Type C pedestrian crossover (PXO).

Several activities were completed to assess the suitability of the proposed LID measures including: drainage area delineation, hydrologic and hydraulic modelling, stormwater management modelling, geotechnical investigation, field permeability testing, groundwater level investigation, and Phase I and Limited Phase II Environmental Site Assessment, and consultation with environmental regulatory agencies. The field investigations revealed constrained conditions at some locations, including soils with low permeability and high groundwater table. Based on this detailed investigation, Robinson Consultants Inc. provided the City of Ottawa with recommendations for six bioretention cells located within proposed curb extensions. The inlets for the bioretention cells include a combination of curb cut inlets and cast-iron curb inlets. The preliminary and detailed design was completed and included a detailed landscaping and planting plan. Robinson Consultants Inc. prepared tender documents in accordance with the City of Ottawa standards and obtained the necessary environmental approvals.

Project Description

Robinson Consultants Inc. was retained by Kingston Utilities to assist in the planning, design, tendering, contact administration, and site inspection of the Ravensview Trunk Sewer (RTS) and North End Outlet (NEO) sanitary sewer rehabilitation project. The RTS/NEO rehabilitation project consisted of several phases completed over a 5-year period. The RTS and NEO are two major trunk sewers situated within the City of Kingston ranging in diameters sizes of 750mm to 1350mm with total combined length of 6km. The NEO runs predominately off road through wood areas and parks, and the RTS runs through wood areas in close proximity to Lake Ontario, behind some large private properties and through the Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Kingston and out letting to the Ravensview Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP).

The RTS and NEO were identified as having moderate to severe H₂S corrosion deterioration throughout their lengths, including exposed rebar. Project activities included sewer condition assessment, trenchless rehabilitation methodology recommendations, establishing priorities areas for rehabilitation, physical condition investigations (core sampling, H₂S corrosion assessment), geotechnical investigations, failure risk analysis, emergency responses plan, flow by-pass planning for 2350 L/s flows (RTS) & 770 L/s, preparing cost estimates and schedules, significant stakeholder meetings including Department of National Defense, preparing technical specifications, bid forms and price schedule, development of contractor RFP (including evaluation criteria), evaluation of RFP responses, technical QA/QC review of CIPP liner sampling and training seminars.

Condition assessment included recommendation on priority work for phasing of the rehabilitation work over 5 years to maximize the available capital funding per calendar year while mitigating risk. A key consideration in design and specification included flow control/bypass requirements made challenging by high flow rate forcemains incoming directly into the sewer at the rehabilitation.

RTS required a 2350 l/s fully operational flow by-pass system to be set-up and in operation for duration of project. This was accomplished through the innovative design and construction of a temporary wet well to capture and by-pass pump the flows.

Potential rehabilitation methods were analyzed resulting in selecting CIPP lining due to availability of several contractors to perform the work along with the installation method being best suited to the pipe and site conditions along with capacity requirements.

Contract administration and inspection services for the CIPP lining of this major trunk sanitary sewer included major bypass pumping, emergency preparedness, and coordination with multiple landowners including CFB Kingston.

This critical piece of Kingston infrastructure was built in the 1950s and conveys 60%-70% of Kingston sewer flow including downtown and east end. The project limits started at Hwy 2 and Hwy 15 and ran through CFB Kingston, Cartwright Point, and La Salle Blvd and outlets at the Ravensview Treatment Plant.

The 3.4km of 1200mm and 1350mm pipe was rehabilitated. The main key to success with a project as complicated and involved as this was a team-based approach involving all stakeholders, which resulted in an effective approach to maintaining construction schedule and pre-empting issues that would cause delays and conflicts.

Project Description

The original Mill Creek Municipal Drain was constructed in 1956. At that time, the drain terminated at Hwy. 17 and flowed a further 2km through a natural watercourse to its outlet at the Ottawa River. Subsequent years saw significant increases in agricultural activity including clearing of previously forested lands, increased tile drainage, urban development, and the addition of contributing drains.

Increased pressures from upstream drainage in conjunction with poor underlying soil conditions resulted in a significant slope failure on the natural water course section within the village of L’Orignal.

The Township of Champlain tasked Robinson Consultants Inc. with addressing the slope failure as Emergency Work under Section 124 of the Ontario Drainage Act, R.S.O. 1990, and ultimately with full modification and improvement of the Mill Creek Municipal Drain under Section 78 of the Act to incorporate the emergency work and make necessary adjustments for the remainder of the drain. Robinson Consultants Inc. successfully petitioned the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture Food and Rural Affairs for permission to complete the Emergency Work.

Design for the failure area included geotechnical review of the slope failure and adjacent area, drone level LiDAR survey of the failure (conditions were not stable for a standard survey to be completed) and the implementation of specialized geotechnical design incorporating a ballast feature with slope flattening and standard rock protection.

Following the completion of the emergency work, Robinson Consultants Inc. was tasked with preparing an Engineer’s Report for improvement and modification for the full extent of the drain, including incorporating the emergency work. Ensuring sufficient outlet included incorporating as a municipal drain the remainder of the natural watercourse to the outlet at the Ottawa River. Improvements included permanent sediment and erosion control with some deepening and widening of locations restricting flow. Special consideration was required to address the concerns of environmental agencies including the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Ministry of Natural Resources (acting as the Conservation Authority for this area as it is outside of the jurisdiction of a Conservation Authority), and the Ministry of Environment Conservation and Parks for the protection of Endangered Species.

Project Description

Robinson Land Development (RLD) were retained to provide a servicing, grading, and stormwater management (SWM) design for a proposed three building campus located at 383/ 385 Terry Fox Drive in the City of Ottawa, Ontario. The industrial zoned site included one existing building and two new 5-storey buildings with associated parking.

The project also included road modifications (RMA) for the extension of the existing Hines Road to provide an additional access to the campus.

The portion of the site to be developed was 7.44 hectares in area and was bounded by existing developments on all four sides. Due to the high imperviousness of the site, four on-site SWM facilities were constructed to meet the quantity and quality storage requirements. The facilities were designed to provide level two protection by the use of river stone, granular, and sand layers to filter the runoff. Inlet control devices (ICD) were utilized in the outlets of each facility to control the rate of the stormwater outflow from the site.

The site grading involved the detailed grading design of over 35,000 square metres of asphalt area which was accomplished via minimal underground infrastructure. Specifically, the majority of the site was designed to sheet flow to the on-site SWM facilities.

The proposed buildings were serviced with water and sanitary via connections to the existing infrastructure within Hines Road. The buildings were also provided with storm services via a connection to the existing storm sewer located on the adjacent 5050 Innovation site.

RLD was also engaged to seek approvals for Environmental Compliance Applications (ECA) which required extensive facilitation with the MOECC, City and neighbouring property (which contained an existing SWM facility previously designed to control and treat drainage from a portion of the site). Due to the complexity of the project, four ECA applications were required to be submitted to the MOECC for the site.

Project Description

The Chenier-Jeaurond Municipal Drain is a new drain, petitioned by local property owners Under Section 4 of the Ontario Drainage Act, R.S.O., 1990. Property owners were concerned that the existing watercourse comprised of an Award Drain (constructed in the late 1800s under a predecessor to the Drainage Act), private ditches, and natural wet areas did not provide sufficient outlet to protect crops during the growing season. Improvement and incorporation as a municipal drain was required to accommodate modern agricultural practices and allow for sufficient outlet and future maintenance.

The Township of North Glengarry appointed Robinson Consultants Inc. under Section 8 of the Ontario Drainage Act, R.S.O. 1990, as the Drainage Engineer to prepare a report for the future construction of the Chenier-Jeaurond Municipal Drain.

Design included the deepening and widening of the existing watercourse, incorporation as a municipal drain and establishing permanent sediment and erosion control features. Provisions were made for private farm crossings that accommodated modern farming equipment and sufficient outlet for surface and subsurface (tile) drainage. Special consideration was given to address the concerns of environmental agencies including the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Raisin Region Conservation Authority, and the Ministry of Natural Resources.