Introduction
The work covered by this contract consisted primarily of developing a used-snow disposal site. It included excavation, backfilling, compaction, earthworks, insulation, and civil engineering work, as well as the construction of stormwater management and drainage structures.
1. Brush clearing, stump removal, and initial shaping
The first phase involved preparing the ground for construction. The crews cleared the brush, removed the stumps, and stripped the topsoil before beginning the earthworks that define the footprint of the basin. Careful planning at this stage is essential: getting the cuts, the slopes, and the access roads right from the outset spares the various trades from costly additional work later on.
2. Installation of the storm sewer and BNQ-certified piping
Once the foundation slab was complete, we proceeded with the installation of the stormwater network. Large-diameter, BNQ-certified pipes were laid in trenches to capture the meltwater and convey it to a controlled discharge system. Every joint was inspected and sealed to specification to ensure lasting performance despite Quebec’s freeze-thaw cycles.
3. Continued shaping of the infrastructure
Once the underground network was in place, the earthworks crew returned to refine the geometry of the basin. Grading, compaction, and slope verification were carried out in several successive stages to reach the design profiles. Achieving uniform compaction at this stage has a direct bearing on the proper placement of the geomembrane in the next step.
4. Installation of the welded geomembrane
A welded geomembrane was deployed across the entire basin to fully contain the meltwater and the sediment it carries. The panels were heat-welded on site, their watertightness was tested, and they were then covered with a protective layer of granular material. This containment layer ensures the environmental compliance of the facility; it prevents contaminants from migrating into the surrounding soil and watershed.
5. Outer berm platform and perimeter fence
An outer berm, designed specifically for this purpose, was built around the basin to serve both as a containment barrier and as a stable support for the perimeter chain-link fence. The berm was shaped, compacted, and finished to give the crews a clean, level surface that makes setting the posts easier: a detail that proves crucial to the lasting alignment of the fence
6. Site ready for commissioning
With the main civil engineering work complete, the site was handed over ready for the installation of the final safety fencing and signage. The result is a turnkey snow-treatment facility, designed to handl large seasonal volumes safely and in full compliance with federal and provincial environmental standards.
Conclusion
Projects like the Stanstead used-snow disposal site show how important it is to engage an experienced civil engineering contractor to deliver public infrastructure. Every stage of the project, from the initial stump removal to the installation of the final fence sections, must be carefully coordinated to ensure the performance and durability of the works as a whole.
Through rigorous planning, the use of premium-quality materials, and constant quality control, A. Préfontaine & Associés delivered a facility built to meet the municipality’s needs for many years to come.
All of the work was completed on a tight schedule, while scrupulously meeting occupational health and safety requirements, the applicable environmental standards, and the highest quality standards. Thanks to our team’s expertise and efficient site management, the project was delivered in line with the client’s expectations, the contractual requirements, and the established performance objectives
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