MHCA acknowledges it is located on Treaty One land and the homeland of the Metis Nation

Progress on timely locates, damage-free excavations

The Manitoba Common Ground Alliance (MCGA) made notable progress in 2022 addressing locate concerns, especially the timeliness of the locates performed by utilities. With nearly a 90% success rate for a locate to be completed within 10 business days, this is great news for the excavating community.

That was made possible by the collaborative effort of the MCGA, working intensively with Bell MTS since 2021 to improve their locate response times which was affecting the excavating community.

The MCGA is a member-driven organization focusing on promoting effective damage prevention practices in connection with underground infrastructure activities.

It was able to provide that “link” between industry, utility and one-call notification centers to address concerns and create an avenue for all parties to participate through a solution-based environment.

“I think the heavy construction industry has noticed real improvement in the last year with the process and timeliness of locates, and that shows the value of a volunteer group of dedicated industry and utility members,” MHCA President Chris Lorenc said.

One of the alliance’s other main accomplishments in 2022 was developing and implementing the Ground Disturbance 201 standard.

The MCGA saw the need to create a ground disturbance standard benefiting the excavation industry that also reflected Manitoba’s “uniqueness” in excavation practices. It partnered with Alberta’s Utility Safety Partners (USP) establishing a Manitoba Training Standards Committee and bringing to life Manitoba’s Ground Disturbance 201 Standard

The MCGA consists of 67 members, with additional utility members signing on in effort to ease the challenges of the excavation community and ensure ground disturbance is done safely.

The MCGA will continue its work toward ensuring excavation is safe and damage free.

Chair’s Gala

November 18, 2022
RBC Convention Centre

Close to 650pp attended from both industry, government and stakeholder partners.  It was the closing of Nicole Chabot’s two year term as Chair.  Dennis Cruise of Bituminex Paving was welcomed as the new Chair.

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2022 Heavy Santa

December 16, 2022
David Livingstone School

This event was made possible through fundraising at the MHCA Chair’s Gala and Spring Mixer.

104 goodie bags and presents were prepared for the grades 1-4 students at David Livingstone School. 

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Awards Breakfast & Annual General Meeting

November 18, 2022
RBC Convention Centre

Manitoba Transportation & Infrastructure (MTI) Award Winner

  • Grading – Strilkiwski Contracting Ltd.: PTH 6 Grahamdale
  • Paving – Coco Paving o/a Russell Redi-Mix: Bituminous Reconstruction PTH 83
  • Urban Works – Coco Paving o/a Russell Redi-Mix: Bituminous Reconstruction PA 634 and Bituminous Pavement PTH 5
  • Special Projects – Mekhana Development Corp/Arnason Industries Ltd: Theresa Point Airport
  • Major Structures – D. Steele Construction: Bridge Replacement over the Red River Floodway on PTH 59N
  • Minor Structures – Moncrief Construction Ltd.: Reinforced concrete box culvert on PTH 5
  • Water Management – Brunet Ltd.: Flood response, Morris ring dike closure

200 members and guests gathered to hear greetings from Premier Heather Stefanson and the newly elected Mayor of Winnipeg, Scott Gillingham. Hon. Doyle Piwniuk, Minister, Manitoba Infrastructure, handed out the MTI Awards.

31 companies were recognized for their milestone membership commitments.

Matthew Neziol, of Bayview Construction, received the Safety Leader Award.

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