The Ministry of Highways hosted an information session April 30, 2024, to share plans for construction of a berm in the Wakamow Valley. The berm will be used to mitigate the landslide impacting Highway 363 (9th Ave. S.W. Moose Jaw).
Location
Site History
1949 - Initial highway route constructed
1985 - Grade raised
2002 - Identified as a geohazard site
2005 - Soil nailing
2016 - Increased landslide activity
2018 - Geotechnical investigation
2023 - Heritage Resource Impact Assessment (HRIA)
2024 - Tender for Construction / Repair
Heritage Resource Impact Assessment
Proposed berm construction will impact two important heritage sites:
HRIA conducted Fall 2023:
- Pedestrian reconnaissance
- Shovel testing
Artifacts found:
- Bone and stone tools
- Pre-contact pottery
- Historic / contemporary items
Summary Recommendations
Mitigation:
- Archaeological monitoring during construction
- Swamp mat protection of sensitive areas
- Additional mitigative excavations in spring/summer 2024
Construction - Toe Berm
Berm will be built at the bottom of the existing embankment to reduce risk of further landslides.
Berm grading will vary - approximately 55 m wide by 200 m long; 3 to 6 m high.
Construction considerations
- Access Road location through Wakamow to be determined by contractor but will be within identified area.
- Construction planned for Fall 2024 to avoid bird nesting period.
- Tree clearing will be required – approval has been obtained from the Wakamow Valley Authority.
- Tree clearing area will be minimized.
- Access road and laydown area to be rehabilitated to preconstruction condition once berm construction is complete.
- No traffic detours will be required for any of the work.
- Work zone accommodation will be installed as required.
Next Steps
- Heritage Work – complete pre-impact archaeological excavations in spring/summer 2024
- Post construction tenders to SaskTenders
- Select contractor (target June 2024)
- Berm construction including access road removal, site cleanup, and topsoil replacement (target - Fall 2024)
- Site and road rehabilitation (Spring 2025)
For more information, please contact:
Matthew Stephenson, Ministry of Highways
Email