In 2009, NBDOT started the process for the submissions of the Design, Build, and Finance, Operation, Maintenance and Rehabilitation of Route 1 from the US Border at St. Stephen to Petitcodiac, along the south coast of New Brunswick. Route 1 is an arterial highway which links New Brunswick to the New England States and is a major trade corridor. The economic benefits of upgrading Route 1 are significant to the Province of New Brunswick as well as the other Maritime Provinces. Dexter Development General Partnership (DDGP) was awarded the contract to complete the design and build of upgrading the remaining 55 kilometres of Route 1 to a 4-lane highway, and to rehabilitate another 180 kilometres of existing 4-lane highway infrastructure including roads, bridges, and safety improvements. The Project also includes an operation, maintenance and rehabilitation agreement for the same corridor until 2040. The construction and rehabilitation phases of the project are to be completed within a three year period (completion date of July 2013). This paper will provide overview of the project, the management structure, design process, construction phase, and environmental issues encountered during the Project including an aggressive construction schedule, difficult soil conditions, significant river crossings, managing large storm events, and re-alignment around a previously unknown archaeological site with significant artifacts. The Route 1 Gateway Project crosses through three groundwater/wellfield sources, involved over 180 watercourses crossings, 105 Site Specific Environmental Protection Plans, and 8 NWPA applications for major river crossings. It also includes construction of 35 structures crossing rivers and highways. After the start of construction, an area near Pennfield was identified to contain significant artifacts from the oldest known First Nation encampments in the Province of New Brunswick. The Department of Transportation and Infrastructure and the Developer worked with representatives of First Nations groups and the Archaeological Services Unit of the Heritage Branch, Department of Culture, Tourism and Healthy Living to investigate the site and to minimize the impact on the site by realigning the main highway to avoid the most significant part of the overall finding site. This paper will provide additional details of this project from all aspects including construction, environmental, quality, safety and overall project management of the Project from an Owner’s and a Developer’s perspective.
