Canadian Quest Logistics Inc (Engineering and Construction Div.), Inuvik, NT, was retained by the Band of the Hamlet of Paulatuk to provide building assessment and road/drainage engineering services (detailed below), in the hamlet of Paulatuk. The scope of work for the assignment, as per contract document, is listed as:
- 1-Bay and 3-Bay garage assessment for feasibility of renovations and costing plus design options if new building is deemed necessary based on presentation of finds to the Contracts Committee (Hamlet of Paulatuk);
- Develop drainage plan and road upgrade plan for road to cemetery (confined to the south side of the community);
- Develop drainage and road upgrade plan for road to sewage lagoon
Provide topographic surveying services to establish road level and drainage (confined to using aerial surveys as per GIS mapping)
A site tour of all roads and buildings, as well as an information-gathering visit, was conducted July 17-20, 2012. At the end of the tour a briefing session was held with the Contracts Committee of the Hamlet. Members were apprised of the findings, especially garage life span, equipment limitations for roadwork, and requirements for road erosion containment, among other findings.
The hamlet is exposed to severe snow loadings due to the large deposit of snow during yearly winters. The large accumulation presents major issue in drainage and road erosion in the spring thaw period. In the vicinity of the cemetery, our finding has indicated inadequate existing drains to remove larger amounts of thaw, as well as undersized culverts, and culvert abutments. Along the sewage lagoon road, the main source of yearly problems occurs along a section of road constructed over a major small pond. There is inadequate movement of water on either side of the road, leading to continuous erosion and submersion of the roadway. Design recommendations will seek to mitigate all issues identified in the findings. Acquiring at least 2 specialized roadwork equipment is essential, mainly a large excavator and compactor. In later years, a rock crusher, to supply adequately sized aggregate, will be critical if Paulatuk is to have the best-engineered roads and drainage.
The 1-Bay and 3-Bay garages have been affected by a number of debilitating factors, including water and snow intrusion, oil leakage, foundation failure, undersized doorways due to larger equipment, deteriorated insulation, among other issues. New, larger equipment acquired over many years since the construction of the garages as well as issue of maintenance, have served to render the garages inadequate for the equipment storage requirements. It is recommended, given the need to house a minimum of 10 additional large vehicles, a 5-Bay (10 vehicle garage) should be constructed. The 2 existing 1-Bay and 3-Bay garages should then be demolished after hazardous material disposal is conducted. Primarily due to oil spillage, the site will require soil rehabilitation after an environmental site assessment (ESA) has been conducted.
