Edmonton’s winters are notoriously challenging for construction projects, with freezing temperatures, snow accumulation, and shorter daylight hours creating significant obstacles. For the Valley Line West LRT’s 14-kilometre extension from downtown Edmonton to Lewis Farms, these conditions could easily derail progress without strategic planning. One of the key solutions employed by Marigold Infrastructure Partners, the consortium building the line, is winter hoarding.
What is Winter Hoarding?
Winter hoarding involves temporarily enclosing work areas with insulated panels, tarps, or rigid barriers to create a controlled environment that shields concrete from snow accumulation and extreme cold. By maintaining warmer, more stable conditions, these enclosures help ensure proper curing, prevent freezing, and protect materials so concrete work can reliably continue throughout the winter months.
Why is it Essential for LRT Construction?
The Valley Line West project involves complex tasks such as drainage installations, concrete pouring and curing, and bridge girder placement, which are all highly sensitive to temperature fluctuations. Without hoarding and supplemental heating, concrete could freeze before curing, and water systems could fail to install properly. Hoarding enables these critical activities to continue safely and effectively throughout winter.
How it Works
-Enclosures and Heating: Hoarding is combined with portable heaters and generators to maintain optimal temperatures for curing concrete and other temperature-dependent processes.
-Lighting Solutions: Shorter daylight hours are offset by additional site lighting, ensuring visibility and safety inside hoarded zones.
-Material Protection: Stored materials remain shielded from snow and ice, reducing waste and delays.
Impact on Project Timeline
By using hoarding, Marigold Infrastructure Partners can keep the Valley Line West project moving forward during Edmonton’s harshest months, minimizing seasonal downtime and ensuring a high-quality finished product. This approach supports the goal of completing major roadwork and structural components on schedule, with construction completion targeted for 2028.
