September 10, 2010

CAROLINE VANDERLAAN

A huge earthmoving operation was needed before work could begin on sewer and watermain and road construction.

FOCUS | Sewer and Watermain

Murphy Contracting continues work on Innovation Park in London, Ontario

PETER KENTER

correspondent

London, Ont.’s Innovation Park is a four-phase, high-end industrial park development plan located on the southeastern side of the city.

Currently under development is the $11-million Phase III, a 50-hectare parcel of land undergoing heavy infrastructure work designed to make the site attractive to new businesses. Civil engineering projects include installation of water and wastewater service, storm management ponds and road construction.

Murphy Contracting Co. Ltd. of London is the project’s general contractor.

“The term, Phase III is a little bit confusing to some people, since it’s actually the final phase of development,” says engineer Robert Sutton, acting manager of industrial land development with the City of London. “When the city developed London’s industrial land development strategy, it assigned phase numbers to the four sections of the development, but as we rolled out it became clear that Phase III was a more expensive prospect, so Phase IV preceded this one when it was completed last year, along with Phase II.”

Funding for the development includes an $11 million contribution from the Ontario government as part the province’s Municipal Infrastructure Investment Initiative and a $400,000 federal investment through Canada’s Economic Action Plan.

The city currently owns the land, but will sell serviced lots to businesses planning to locate in the development. The land is situated near Highway 401 with direct access to the London Airport and is being presented to buyers as a gateway to Toronto and Detroit.

The rolling topography of the site was first graded to allow for the installation of infrastructure, and stormwater retention ponds were built on the site.

“The big component was the massive amount of earthmoving, including the excavation of two bog areas,” says Sutton.

“Currently, we’re installing the sewer and water service, putting in 760 metres of 450-mm watermain and about a kilometre of 300-mm main. The trunk sanitary lines are various sizes, with 775 metres of 200 mm, 550 metres of 375 mm and 210 metres of 450 mm.”

Other phases of the park already have tenants, including a large bakery and a countertop manufacturer. Future tenants include the University of Western Ontario, which plans to build an advanced wind tunnel on the site and Fanshawe College.

“Having enough water and sewer capacity for the site is critical,” says Sutton. “We want to make sure that we can attract any kind of business regardless of their infrastructure needs.”

Sutton says the site is nearing substantial completion for the fall.

“It’s a tremendous amount of work to be completed in one year,” he notes.

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