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Road Infrastructure in the Hudson Bay Lowlands: Solutions for the Northern Road Link

Abstract

The Northern Road Link (NRL) project aims to enhance transportation infrastructure in the Hudson Bay Lowlands, connecting remote communities and improving access to resources while spanning 165 kilometers. This road will traverse the ecologically sensitive Hudson Bay Lowlands in Northern Ontario, raising concerns about impacts on Treaty 9 communities, local flora, fauna, and extensive peatlands. The road is proposed to link the Webequie Supply Road at its northern terminus and the Marten Falls Community Access Road (MFCAR) at its southern end, with MFCAR serving as the connection to the provincial road system.

The project’s goals are to provide year-round accessibility, foster economic development, improve employment opportunities, and facilitate local resource access. However, significant challenges include preserving the peatland ecosystem, managing hydrological impacts, and addressing climate change considerations. Key challenges involve potential disruption of the peat ecosystem, variations in peat characteristics, and the need to safeguard groundwater quality and flow. Construction techniques such as using geogrids and geotextiles to float the road through organic terrain are proposed to address these issues.

The paper highlights an approach to road construction over peatlands that maintains groundwater flow, ensures road stability, and addresses aggregate needs as well as long-term sustainability. Proposed methods aim to elevate the road profile over peatlands without removal, prevent saturation and instability, and minimize embankment damage during overtopping events. The project also faces challenges with the limited availability of suitable aggregate, striving to minimize environmental impacts and the overall footprint.

The innovative implementation of OptiHaul and Smart Pit concepts within RoadEng Software enhances efficiency and contributes to a more optimized design. The presentation outlines how the project addresses environmental issues and climate change impacts with proposed geotechnical techniques and road materials.

In conclusion, the NRL project is committed to innovative solutions that aim to address community concerns about peatland construction, minimize the ecological footprint, address environmental issues, and achieve sustainable highway design. The proposed alternative construction methodologies ensure optimal functionality, extending the road’s lifespan.

Conference Paper Details

Session title:
Testing, Modelling and Innovation for Roadway/Embankment Materials and Geotechnical Engineering
Author(s):
Tan, Nikki
Manoochehri, Reza
Topics:
Soils and materials
Year:
2024