Fort McMurray Mass Demolition

Project Summary:

• Morgan Construction and Environmental demolished 906 homes in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo as a result of the 2016 Fort McMurray wildfire. The site is located approximately 400 km north east of Edmonton, Alberta.
• Approximate quantities of work completed were:
  • 906 homes demolished.
  • 2,900 tonnes of steel removed for recycling.
  • 60,000 tonnes of ash removed.
  • 1,040,000 tonnes of concrete removed for recycling.
  • 906 shallow utility disconnections including gas, power, cable and telephone.
  • 540 deep utility disconnections including water, storm and sanitary services.
  • 456 basements backfilled
• Equipment utilized on the project consisted of:
  • 23 track excavators
  • 4 skid steers
  • Up to 60 highway tractors with end dump trailers
  • Water trucks
  • Up to 120 personnel
• Separate inspections were required on each lot at various hold points during the demolition. These hold points included:
  • Ash removal
  • Utility disconnections
  • Concrete removal
  • Final cleanup
  • Backfill

Challenges and Achievements:

• Working with numerous shareholders on a short time frame presented some unique challenges. Shareholders included:
  • Individual demolition permit requirements
  • Regional District of Wood Buffalo (RMWB)
  • Engineering firm
  • 18 insurance companies
  • 906 homeowners
  • Special safety requirements, dust and schedule pressures combined with personal loss for homeowners made this a very emotional project.

Safety:

Morgan crews worked 57,000 man hours to complete the project. Crews were required to wear Tyvec Haz Mat suits and ½ mask respirators at all times.