Date Posted : April 28, 2025
in : News and Events
What a transformation! The neighborhood surrounding Royal Columbian Hospital in New Westminster - BC's oldest city - has undergone an incredible upgrade, and we at All Roads are proud to have been part of it.
Considering the nonstop work around the clock for nearly a year, combined with the area's congestion and the many unknowns below the surface, finishing without a single incident is a remarkable accomplishment.
We recently completed one of our highest-profile projects to date: the comprehensive rehabilitation of the Royal Columbian Hospital area. Over the course of 11 months, our team worked tirelessly in New Westminster, rebuilding a critical stretch of East Columbia Street between Sherbrooke and Keary streets. Both major intersections, including key hospital entrances, have been completely modernized with new sidewalks, upgraded bus pads, bicycle paths, and a revamped storm drainage system.
The scope of work was extensive:
- 3,700 cubic meters of excavation
- 2,000 meters of curb construction
- 3,000 square meters of concrete installation
- Project value: $6.1 million
Although All Roads is an industry leader in precision GPS and LPS technologies, the tight constraints of this project - including the need to maintain two lanes of live traffic at all times - required a more traditional approach. Much of the work was meticulously hand-formed and poured using "old-school" concrete techniques to ensure precision in the confined space.
Working directly in front of the hospital's busy trauma center added an extra layer of complexity. Patient access had to be maintained at all times, businesses along the corridor needed to stay open, and heavy pedestrian traffic required constant coordination and attention.
Despite these challenges, the project was completed without a single incident - no injuries, no underground utility strikes, and no safety violations!
Incorporated in 1860, New Westminster is one of British Columbia's oldest municipalities. Unsurprisingly, the underground conditions were unpredictable, with a maze of undocumented live and abandoned utility lines, and even remnants of old railroad tracks.
Given these risks and the fact that our crews excavated over a meter deep across the entire site, completing the work without any issues is a major achievement. There were no lost days of injuries, no public complaints, no vehicle damage, and no incidents involving pedestrians.
"Considering the nonstop work around the clock for nearly a year, combined with the area's congestion and the many unknowns below the surface, finishing without a single incident is a remarkable accomplishment. It speaks volumes about All Roads' commitment to detail, safety, and professional excellence," says Kyle Blakeborough, our Project Superintendent.
"This is my 29th season in road construction, and I can say without a doubt this was the most challenging project I've ever been part of. I can't say enough about our team - everyone stepped up, worked together, and operated like a well-oiled machine. Looking at the final result, and reflecting on all the hurdles we overcame, I'm extremely proud."
Damon McArthur, All Roads' Lead Hand, adds, "It had been at least a decade since any major maintenance was done here. Sidewalks, streets, and access points were long overdue for an upgrade. Previously, paramedics, wheelchair users, and many others faced significant challenges just getting around. Now, it's a whole lot easier and safer for everyone."
The Royal Columbian Hospital is one of BC's busiest trauma centers, currently undergoing a $1.35 billion, three-phase redevelopment - the largest government-funded healthcare project in the province's history.
All Roads is honored to contribute to this transformative project, helping bring much-needed modernization to this vital and vibrant community.