Claremont Access Slope – Assessment and Remediation Planning

On an escarpment-climbing road in Hamilton, Ontario, a section of the aging Claremont Access protection wall failed, causing a rockslide to partially spill onto the roadway. This resulted in the permanent closure of one downbound lane to prevent additional impacts to the road from further failures. The City of Hamilton engaged us to complete a slope stability analysis and condition assessment for the removal of failing protection walls and development of remedial measures to protect the road.

Based on our discussions with the City, we began the geotechnical study by conducting a drilling investigation and regular slope monitoring, followed by a stability analysis and rockfall assessment of the slope. Our work also included borehole televiewer survey, dilatometer testing, and development of a monitoring program for the slope and existing steel walls prior to and during planned wall removal. As part of the geotechnical study, we developed remediation options for the slope to meet the City’s requirements for short- and long-term safety on the Claremont Access and provided recommendations for next steps.

While the aging walls were removed, the tender and construction phase for implementation of long-term remedial measures will come later.