pooled fund Projects
In PROGRESS
Environmental Best Practices for Highway Construction, Operations and Maintenance - August 2011
| Research Area | Environmental protection |
| Responsible Council / Committee | Environment Council Environmental Issues Management Standing Committee |
| Related TAC publications | Synthesis of Quality Management Practices for Canadian Flexible Pavement Materials and Construction (2007)
National Guide to Erosion and Sediment Control on Roadway Projects (2005) Transportation construction and maintenance and the protection of fish habitat (1999) |
| Start Date | May 2010 |
| Expected Completion Date | Summer 2012 |
| Research Agency | Ecoplans Limited |
| Status | Work is in progress. |
| Project Funding Partners | Northwest Territories Department of Transportation; Alberta Transportation; Saskatchewan Highways and Infrastructure; Manitoba Infrastructure and Transportation; Transport Canada; Yukon Highways and Public Works; Ministry of Transportation, Ontario; British Columbia Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure; Newfoundland and Labrador Transportation and Works; Ministère des transports du Québec; Ville de Montréal; New Brunswick Department of Transportation |
| Staff Contact | Katarina Cvetkovic |
Abstract
Each province and territory, and Canada as a whole, requires transportation professionals to protect the environment from impacts of highway transportation activities. Guidelines to achieve this protection are defined by each province/territory, and in generic and project-specific environmental protection plans, best management practices, policies and legal instruments. However, strategies and expectations differ across the country. A comprehensive synthesis of practices is needed for highway transportation practitioners to meet environmental requirements and commitments in highway construction, operation and maintenance activities.
The Synthesis of Canadian Environmental Best Practices: A Guide for Highway Transportation Practitioners for Meeting Environmental Requirements and Commitments in Highway Construction, Operation and Maintenance would be comprised of a series of volumes discussing specific highway construction, operation and maintenance best practices within the context of mitigating impacts on the environment. The volumes of this guide would be useful for contract preparation and follow-through for construction, operation and maintenance of roads and highways, bridges, culverts, quarries and maintenance/construction camps.
Each volume would consider the Canadian regulatory context for the specific activity, a synthesis of accepted best practices for carrying it out, as well as a roll-up of the Best Practices into Management Plan templates for inclusion in contract specifications, project proposals, or on-site mitigation document packages. The volumes would also discuss compliance-monitoring and adaptation mechanisms for the Plans. “Lessons Learned” sections of this guide will provide additional insights into adaptation strategies. It is envisioned that the deliverables could be combined as a comprehensive Project Environmental Management Plan or used discretely to mitigate the following potential impact areas:
- Construction and Maintenance Equipment Plans (work restrictions, use of alternative fuels, age of equipment, anti-idling, on-site over night storage, etc.);
- Noise and Vibration Management Plan (work restrictions, when mitigation is warranted, potential protection measures etc.);
- Water and Wetlands Management Plans (including fish-bearing water bodies, work restrictions, regulatory and policy requirements, protection measures, compensation plans if required);
- Spills Management Plans;
- Air Quality Protection Plans;
- Waste Management Plans;
- Erosion and Sediment Control Plans;
- Vegetation Management Plans (regulatory requirements, protection measures, etc.);
- Wildlife Management Plans (including migratory bird and species at risk, work restrictions, regulatory requirements, protection measures, encounters etc.);
- Salt Management Plans; and
- Fire Suppression Plans
The Guide is intended for transportation agency staff preparing project documents for submission to regulatory agencies for approvals and/or contract documents for project implementation. It is also intended to meet the information needs of the contractor and/or maintenance staff who would carry out the work.