I wish to welcome all members of the tunnelling industry internationally, in North America, and especially in Canada. You are currently holding the inaugural issue of the new official magazine of the Tunnelling Association of Canada (TAC). We are very pleased to be partnered with Tunnels and Tunnelling North America in this initiative, and hope you all enjoy this prestigious magazine. An Editorial Advisory Board (EAB) has been established with members of the TAC Board of Directors to assist Tunnels North America with magazine content and focus to ensure the North American tunnelling industry is accurately reflected and updated. All members in good standing in TAC will receive all copies (currently six times per year) included as part of their membership fees. I encourage everyone in our industry to initiate or maintain their membership in TAC to receive this significant benefit.
This first issue has a detailed look at the Canadian tunnelling market as part of this month’s regional focus.
Canada’s challenge
The market has experienced tremendous growth in recent years. Canada’s geographical position in North America, entirely north of the 42nd parallel of latitude, and the associated climate, presents some specific challenges to underground construction. The bedrock of the Canadian Shield contains some of the oldest, hardest rock in the world, while past glacial eras have produced extremely variable soft ground conditions, particularly in urban areas where underground infrastructure improvement is usually undertaken.
Our winter climate has resulted in two of the world’s largest ‘underground cities’, in Toronto and Montreal, where several kilometers of underground indoor pathways exist throughout the downtown core business areas, connecting offices, residences, restaurants, municipal facilities, hotels, sports venues, shopping and transit systems.
Despite the challenges, activity in the tunnelling industry continues to grow and thrive in many areas across Canada, with several high profile tunnel projects either underway, or about to begin. Continuing tunneling activity in the Canadian scene is highlighted by some major underground expansions of transit systems, both subway and light rail currently planned, under design, or commencing construction in many of the large urban cities in Canada, especially in the Toronto region. The massive Niagara Tunnel Project is nearing completion in Niagara Falls, while underground LRT projects are on the horizon in Edmonton and Vancouver. Extensive infrastructure improvements for facilities such as roadways, railways, sewers, water systems, electrical and communications transmission are in high demand, especially in established highly congested cities. Underground construction and associated tunneling for electric power generation and transmission continues to be active, particularly in British Columbia and Quebec, with several projects currently in various stages of undertaking. This recent growth in the volume of underground work has challenged our industry to adapt and cope with the huge demand for tunnel personnel, at all levels of expertise. Contractors, engineering consultants and even owners are all struggling to find qualified personnel for many of these projects, while the competition to find experienced staff has become an international exercise.
TAC response
The primary mandate of the TAC is to promote the tunnelling industry in Canada and internationally. We have recently commenced some initiatives to fulfill this mandate.
Training Sessions have been started, and are planned to continue, to highlight new advances or technologies in underground construction. Our first course focused on current EPB tunneling in Toronto, and included classroom lectures followed by a live TBM site visit. Our annual scholarship program, started in 2010, has continued successfully as well, introducing and assisting young engineers to continue their studies and future careers in the tunnelling industry. Both graduate and undergraduate students of Canadian Universities undertaking studies in underground construction and/or tunnelling are eligible. Several award winners have made presentations at conferences, providing them valuable networking opportunities with others in our industry.
We have also improved our management structure, membership process, website visibility, and member communications, as evidenced by our partnership with Tunnels North America.
TAC will continue to use our organisation to investigate ways to enhance and promote our industry.
As a result of the great success of the ITA 2010 General Assembly held in Vancouver in May, 2010, hosted by the TAC, and the significant efforts and involvement of our directors, the association continues to grow in stature and recognition within the international tunnelling industry.
The Executive Council of the International Tunnelling Association (ITA) has decided to meet in Montreal in October, during and in conjunction with, the biannual TAC National Conference. We are pleased to host our international colleagues, and hope everyone who attends the conference benefits from the opportunity to meet and discuss relevant issues with some of the most influential tunnelling people from around the world.
May the strength of the tunneling industry continue to grow and prosper!
