Authors: D. Brox, S. Bean, P. Branco, T. Coulter
Proceedings of the 33rd ITA-AITES World Tunnel Congress - Underground Space - The 4th Dimension of Metropolises 2007; Pg 19-26; May 5 - May 10, 2007; Prague, Czech Republic
Abstract
The Kicking Horse Canyon Project (KHCP) involves upgrading approximately 26 kilometers of the Trans-Canada Highway in BC from the town of Golden to the western boundary of Yoho National Park to a modern four-lane standard. The KHCP is being undertaken in three Phases. Phase 1 comprised the replacement of the Yoho Bridge which was completed in 2004. Phase 2 comprises the replacement of the Park Bridge and grading work that is currently under construction, and Phase 3 comprises upgrading of the remaining stretches from the Yoho Bridge to Golden and the Brake Check to the Yoho Park Boundary. The preliminary design for the Phase 3 West section between Yoho Bridge and Golden is currently in progress and is evaluating new highway alignments through the steepest terrain section of the canyon that include two to three short (<1 km) tunnels as well as one alignment that includes a nearly 2.9 km tunnel that would be the longest bored road tunnel in North America. If constructed, the tunnel requirements for the highway improvement will represent the first major road tunnels in Canada in over 40 years.
The preliminary design for the road tunnels comprises twin tube, 2-lane road tunnels. The road tunnels would be constructed within mixed sedimentary bedrock comprising limestones, dolostones, and shales with rock strengths varying from 30 MPa to 240 MPa. State-of-the-art road tunnel fire, life and safety requirements following NFPA requirements have been adopted given the increasing awareness for road tunnel safety measures. Comprehensive geotechnical site investigations have been completed as part of preliminary design studies. Portal location and tunnel design and constructability issues have been evaluated as part of the preliminary design work and are presented.
