In the Fall of 2012, the City of Winnipeg retained Associated Engineering to assess options and provide a solution to rehabilitate or replace an aging feedermain crossing - the 40-year-old, 600 millimetre diameter, North Kildonan Feedermain, which crosses the Red River.  Connecting to the northeast and northwest sections of the City’s water distribution network, the feedermain is a critical component of the City’s water infrastructure.

Our National Practice Leader for Trenchless Technologies, Dr. Jason Lueke, facilitated a workshop with City staff and stakeholders to evaluate options and determine a preferred approach.  Using an Analytical Hierarchical Process (AHP), nine alternatives were examined to rehabilitate or replace the feedermain.  AHP is a multi-criteria, decision-making method.  The process is applied to solve unstructured problems in a variety of decision-making situations and uses a quantified numerical scale for prioritizing decision alternatives.  The AHP process provides a repeatable and defendable decision-making approach. 

Various options were evaluated, considering constructability, operation and maintenance, social impact during construction, sustainability, infrastructure security, construction schedule, regulations, and the environment. Based on the criteria and assigned ratings, the team recommended that the feedermain be replaced with a new pipe, installed by horizontal directional drilling.

The City accepted the recommendations, and retained Associated Engineering to provide contractor prequalification, detailed engineering, contract administration, and resident engineering for the design of the new pipeline across the Red River.  This work also included connecting the crossing to the existing feedermain on the east and west sides of the river, which was completed under a separate construction contract.

Project Manager, Colin McKinnon, tells us, “This project demonstrates our successful One Company approach. Technical design and field services were provided by staff in our Edmonton Office, taking advantage of their expertise in large diameter directional drilling.  Staff in Winnipeg provided project management services.”

The Kildonan Feedermain is a critical component of Winnipeg’s water distribution network.

Key staff on the project included Jason Lueke, Colin McKinnon, Jeff O’Driscoll, Chris Lamont, Carlie Pittman, and Tyrell Stang, who brought experience in large diameter, horizontal directional drilling to the project.