Serving as a key liaison between Canada's two national railways

Circle Drive SW Rail Component

Circle Drive South is the largest single infrastructure project in the history of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. It’s also the first project to be delivered using the design-build procurement model. We would step in to serve as the owner’s engineer for the SW Rail Component, helping to achieve multiple objectives that were geared towards the grand Circle Drive vision.

The $300 million highway design-build project was ambitious. And our team had to develop the technical terms of reference and evaluate pre-qualifications and technical submissions, ensuring compliance with client objectives. We also had serve as a key liaison between Canada's two national railways—Canadian Pacific Railway and Canadian National Railway.

The rail component involves the installation of three railroad bridges over the proposed four-lane highway, as well as two at-grade rail crossings and temporary rail detours to facilitate the rail bridge construction. We managed complex road and rail geometry issues, such as grade separations that were required in close proximity to an existing diamond interchange.

Our team was challenged to provide concept level drawings that were acceptable to both rail companies—as well as the owner—while leaving room for future innovation. But through ongoing collaboration, we prepared a proposal that satisfied stakeholders and adhered to modern rail standards and regulatory requirements.