Metro Vancouver announced this week it has terminated the rights of tunnelling contractor Bilfinger Berger Canada Inc. to perform further works on the Seymour-Capilano Filtration Project, which is located just north of Vancouver, in British Columbia, Canada.
In a statement issued yesterday (27 May, 2008), Metro Vancouver claimed that Bilfinger Berger has refused to proceed with work on the twin tunnels component of the Seymour-Capilano Project in accordance with the contract, and as a result its right to perform further work has been terminated.
“Bilfinger Berger’s refusal to move forward with their part of this important project is a great frustration,” said Metro Vancouver Chief Administrative Officer Johnny Carline. “The contractor has provided us with no practical alternative in terms of completing the work,” Carline said.
Bilfinger Berger was awarded the contract to construct two 7.2km, 3.8m o.d. tunnels that connect the Capilano drinking water source to the filtration plant in the Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve. The plant will filter water from both the Seymour and Capilano sources.
Metro Vancouver stated: “Work on the tunnels began late in 2004, but in January of 2008, Bilfinger-Berger suspended tunnelling as a result of rock conditions that the contractor contended created worker safety concerns. In response, Metro Vancouver’s consulting engineers [Hatch Mott MacDonald] provided a plan to address the stated concerns that would enable Bilfinger Berger to safely resume work. Some of the world’s foremost experts in rock mechanics and tunnel engineering have told Metro Vancouver that the engineer’s plan is safe and viable, and that Bilfinger Berger’s claims are without merit. Bilfinger-Berger did not accept the plan and refused to recommence tunnelling or to provide Metro Vancouver with a schedule for the resumption of work. On May 26, the contractor was notified that its right to continue the work was terminated.”
Any delay in completion of the tunnels will only impact filtration from the Capilano supply. Filtration of water from the Seymour source is unaffected and expected to begin on schedule and budget with completion of the Filtration Plant later this year. Metro Vancouver has said it will now take the necessary steps to secure a replacement contractor and complete the tunnels.
