Arcola Avenue Corridor Study
The Arcola Avenue corridor in southeast Regina, Saskatchewan serves 45,000 vehicles each day. Due to rapid residential growth in the surrounding area, the City of Regina wanted to establish a plan that addressed both existing traffic and future travel needs considering the anticipated population growth. The need for this assessment was compounded by the fact that there are limited alternative routes to access southeast Regina.
The scope of this study included traffic forecasting and micro simulation and detailed examination of transit, cycling and pedestrian needs. Additional consideration for how one network change could impact signal timing at other intersections and change commuter travel paths in the network was also studied. Further, several surrounding network changes, that could impact the recommendations for this important corridor, were explored in the study.
The study identified a future plan for the Arcola Avenue corridor operation, including a recommended interchange layout that would serve future travel demand for this growth area. Recommendations covered active modes improvements (pedestrian, bike, and transit), geometric improvements, signal timing changes, and new roadway infrastructure required to reach a 300,000-population horizon for Regina.
Project Highlights
- Traffic forecasting and scenario development using observed volumes of 45,000 vehicles per day
- Active transportation improvements plan
- Signal timing and coordination updates
- Turn lanes, auxiliary lanes, channelization and intersection reconfiguration for safety and throughput
- New roadway infrastructure recommendations to distribute demand and improve network resilience in southeast Regina
- Short‑, medium‑ and long‑term sequencing aligned with growth and funding readiness
Economic Value of Truck Routes
Working with TransLink, we assessed the economic value of the Lower Mainland’s Truck Route Network (TRN) using the Commercial Vehicle Model (CVM). The multi‑phase study developed value and tonnage inputs and produced actionable corridor‑level insights to inform planning and investment decisions across four freight market sectors regional, inter-regional, gateway and cascade.
Working in phases, our team validated data sources and literature, built and integrated CVM inputs and generated origin to destination matrices to represent commodity movements as truck trips. The final analysis quantified value and tonnage across key freight corridors and summarized TRN statistics for Vancouver, highlighting top commodities and network patterns to inform policy and operations.
This project was completed by MORR Transportation Consulting Ltd. prior to its acquisition by KGS Group.
Project Highlights
- Assessed the economic value of the Lower Mainland’s Truck Route Network
- A multi‑phase study developed value and tonnage inputs and produced actionable corridor‑level insights to inform planning and investment decisions
Seven Oaks School Division Learning and Service Centre
Seven Oaks School Division needed an upgraded bus service facility. Seeing this as an opportunity to bring a larger vision to life, they acquired a 50-acre parcel of land for development of an all-encompassing Learning and Service Centre. This new centre would not only meet current service needs but would also serve as a multi-use space where students, parents and the broader community could come together for land-based learning and play.
KGS Group collaborated with PCL and Prairie Architects to achieve the aggressive project schedule, providing mechanical, electrical, civil and structural engineering services as well as construction administration services. Integrated design and collaboration among the project team were key to keeping costs within the school division’s budget while maintaining the project vision.
A modern space was created to house the school division’s transportation, operations and maintenance departments as well as conference rooms and vocational trades classrooms. Incorporating a combination of Indigenous and western perspectives, KGS worked with the project team to bring the client’s vision to life.
Project Highlights
- An agricultural learning centre providing unique opportunities for hands-on learning and service space for garden and greenhouse produce
- Three kilometers of granular walking trails
- A toboggan hill
- Naturalized storm water retention pond
- Wawiyia’kiti’gahn (circle garden), used as an outdoor teaching area
- A naturalized landscape and planned agricultural plots for community vegetable gardens
University of Manitoba Fort Garry Riverbank Asset Management
On the northwest side of the University of Manitoba Fort Garry Campus, which is located on Treaty 1 Territory, 600 meters of Sifton Road along the Red River acts as the Primary Line of Defense (PLD) dike, protecting the City of Winnipeg from flooding. Along the riverbank, ongoing and uncontrolled surface water discharge from Culvert 108 created over-steepened slopes and was threatening the integrity of this portion of Sifton Road.
KGS Group designed an innovative solution to reconstruct Culvert 108, Sifton Road and the PLD dike system. A first for this technology in Winnipeg, the solution used buoyant lightweight fill material anchored with helical piles. Additionally, the land drainage system was redesigned, Culvert 108 was upgraded to prevent future damage and supplemental vegetation was planted. The result was an area that is fully integrated with the surrounding ecosystem and is ready for future use opportunities while protecting the community.
Project Highlights
- Designed a solution to reconstruct Culvert 108, Sifton Road and PLD dike system to restore flood protection and roadway function
- The solution, a first for this technology in Winnipeg, included buoyant lightweight fill anchored with helical piles
- Redesigned the land drainage system to control and safely route surface water, reducing erosive outflows to the riverbank
Ceridian Office Space Development
When Ceridian was moving into their new home at True North Square, KGS was engaged to engineer the mechanical and electrical components. The 24,000 square foot project included complete development of shell space within a new office tower in downtown Winnipeg. Our team provided engineering services for all of the mechanical and electrical systems in the beautiful, new space.
With function, efficiency and aesthetics top of mind, we connected new plumbing systems to the existing while minimizing disruption to other tenants, developed the HVAC systems including installation of multiple hydronic fan coil units (systems also feature demand control ventilation using CO2 monitoring) and coordinated the sprinkler systems to suit complex architectural ceiling requirements. We also completed the distribution for both general and emergency power, lighting systems and controls, fire alarm and security systems, and telecommunication systems, including data outlets and extending the base building services.
The result is a cohesive, high‑performing environment with reliable building services, flexible power and data and intuitive controls that reflects Ceridian’s brand and supports day‑to‑day productivity.
Project Highlights
- Engineering services for all mechanical and electrical systems, designed to reduce disruption to other tenants during construction
- Integration of services into the blank canvas while keeping function, efficiency and aesthetics at the forefront
Assiniboine River and Lake Manitoba Basins Flood Mitigation Study
The flood of 2011 highlighted several potential “weak links” in Manitoba’s flood control system, which resulted in widespread damage across the province. To address the propensity for flooding in the Assiniboine River and Lake Manitoba basins, KGS Group carried out a flood mitigation study, which identified major flood vulnerabilities and assessed a wide range of measures to improve protection in the region.
A vast amount of data was reviewed and over 70 mitigation options were evaluated including dikes, reservoirs, diversion channels, wetland restoration and development controls. As well, a number of sophisticated models were developed to calculate cost-benefit ratios and the economic viability of the options.
Working collaboratively with Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure, the project team developed a technical workshop and held public open house events to incorporate important feedback into the study findings.
The results of the study identified over $1 billion of flood mitigation upgrades required to increase the flood protection level to provincial standards across the basin. The results will also serve as the foundation for major flood mitigation programs for the next several decades.
Project Highlights
- Reviewed and synthesized basin‑wide datasets to establish current and future flood risk profiles
- Evaluated 70+ mitigation options, including dikes and levees, reservoirs and storage, diversion channels, wetland restoration, development controls
- Compiled actionable study deliverables for program planning
SaskTel Facility Electrical Modernization
SaskTel’s Lorne Street facilities house critical telecommunications equipment serving all of Saskatchewan and provide office space for 400+ employees. Aging electrical infrastructure posed a significant reliability risk for a utility that requires uninterrupted, maintainable and highly reliable power. KGS Group was engaged to modernize the electrical system that would integrate seamlessly with a broader building renovation with minimal disruption to operations.
KGS Group was the electrical design consultant for all areas of design and construction for both the electrical modernization and the building renovation. Extensive pre-design and planning included electrical layouts, cutover planning and sequencing of the work to minimize outages, prevent unplanned service interruptions and minimize impacts to staff.
The electrical modernization involved the replacement or refurbishment of all major electrical systems in these facilities including new UPS systems, new main switchgear lineups and extensive downstream power distribution and controls improvements. This work was integrated into a larger building renovation that also included electrical design services for the replacement of the exterior of one building and extensive interior renovations to office areas, customer spaces and data centre space. Lighting, fire alarm, power and security upgrades were engineered to meet the highest building design standards.
KGS worked collaboratively with the owner, construction manager and other consultants, and applied extensive expertise with critical power systems and building renovation projects to deliver a new, highly reliable, modern electrical system on-time and on-budget. This project increased energy efficiency, reliability, maintainability and power capacity to ensure the facilities would support their needs long-term.
Project Highlights
- Installed new systems to provide resilient, clean power to critical telecom loads
- Replaced main switchgear lineups and upgraded primary distribution for capacity and reliability
- Upgraded downstream power distribution and controls
- Engineered staged cutovers and sequenced tie‑ins to minimize outages and avoid service interruptions
- Delivered electrical design for building exterior replacement
- Completed electrical design for interior renovations across office, customer and data centre areas
- Installed lighting upgrades to meet high performance and efficiency standards
Crossing Enhancements on Beaver Creek at Historic Fort Ellice
The Crossing Enhancements on the Beaver Creek project aimed to reconcile human infrastructure with the natural environment at the Nature Conservancy of Canada’s Fort Ellice property. The project focused on modifying a concrete ford crossing that impeded fish migration on Beaver Creek, to enhance bi-directional fish passage, maintain structural integrity and minimize ecological disruption.
Collaborative efforts led to the development of a rock ramp, that balanced technical feasibility, ecological sensitivity and regulatory compliance. The rock ramp now serves as a success story for future leaders and caretakers of the land and exemplifies sustainable conservation that combines sound engineering with environmental stewardship.
Project Highlights
- Modified the existing concrete ford crossing to reduce hydraulic barriers to fish movement
- Constructed a naturalized rock ramp to enable bi‑directional fish passage
- Configured ramp geometry and rock gradation to maintain crossing stability while minimizing habitat disruption
University of Manitoba Roadway Capital Improvement Program – Fort Garry Campus
A multi-year endeavour, the University of Manitoba’s Roadway Capital Improvement Program involved the renewal of an aging roadway network throughout the entire Fort Garry Campus. KGS Group was retained to reconstruct 6-lane‑kilometres of urban and rural roads to deliver a more durable, accessible and attractive public realm. The program integrated extensive streetscaping to enhance mobility and the campus experience for everyone.
KGS Group provided project management, design and contract administration with careful phasing to minimize disruption, combining geotechnical and topographic investigations with condition assessments to define repairs, optimize asphalt and concrete pavement structures, and align pathway routes to serve key campus destinations. KGS Group also delivered comprehensive underground utility renewal to improve reliability, serviceability and long‑term performance.
Project Highlights
- Reconstructed 6-lane‑km of urban and rural campus roadways
- Constructed 1.75 km multi‑use pathway
- Installed Broadway paver sidewalks to upgrade pedestrian corridors
- Planted street trees and installed custom benches
- Optimized asphalt and concrete pavement structures
- Relocated traffic signals and delivered campus signage plans to improve wayfinding and safety
- Renewed water mains and sanitary sewers
- Installed land drainage system to support urban trees and stormwater management
- Developed comprehensive renewal designs for water mains, sanitary sewer, land drainage with modular suspended pavement system, steam and condensate lines, chilled water and pre-cast utility trenching
City of Portage la Prairie Utility and Maintenance Facility
KGS Group led a multidisciplinary team to design and construct a state‑of‑the‑art Utility and Maintenance Facility for the City of Portage la Prairie’s public works and utilities departments. With a focus on sustainable design, the new facility exemplifies the hand-in-hand relationship between the health and comfort of those who will use the building and Mother Nature.
After the City was informed their current facility was unavailable long-term, KGS Group delivered a solution that seamlessly integrated an innovative horizontal closed-loop geothermal system, water-source heat pumps and high-efficiency HVAC heat recovery technologies that will withstand Manitoba’s harsh climate. The final result is a new facility 25 times more efficient at reducing greenhouse gas emissions than the standard building in Manitoba.
Project Highlights
- Closed‑loop geothermal wellfield to serve the building’s heating and cooling loads
- Water‑source heat pumps for space conditioning and energy‑efficient distribution
- High‑efficiency HVAC heat recovery technologies integrated into ventilation systems
- Building systems to verify performance and optimize operational settings
GE Aviation Engine Testing, Research and Development Centre
New aircraft engine designs must be tested to confirm they can survive real world hazards such as icing, bird ingestion and loss of an engine blade. To construct a state-of-the-art jet engine certification test centre in Winnipeg, General Electric Aviation formed a partnership with StandardAero, who engaged a diversified project team to provide engineering design services.
As part of the team, KGS Group coordinated and developed a 3D model of the facility in order to fast track the design and construction. The 3D model required collaborative coordination from our mechanical, electrical and structural groups, importing 3D components created by StandardAero and GE’s engine models, as well as generating 3D models based on 2D design drawings from other consultants. In addition, KGS Group provided design services for various mechanical, electrical and structural aspects of the project.
This project embodies engineering achievement through exemplary project coordination and collaboration to deliver a complex project on time and on budget. The use of innovative technology and a diverse range of engineering expertise were paramount to its success.
Project Highlights
- Developed a federated 3D facility model to fast‑track design and construction
- Imported GE engine models and StandardAero 3D components into the coordinated model
- Converted 2D consultant drawings into 3D models to create a fully integrated digital design set
Geothermal Heating/Cooling System for IKEA Winnipeg
To advance IKEA’s global mandate to reduce its carbon footprint, the IKEA Winnipeg store adopted geothermal heating and cooling as a cornerstone of its energy strategy. KGS Group provided design, construction management and commissioning for a geothermal heat pump system that meets the heating and cooling requirements for the 400,000 square foot retail facility.
With four pumping wells and eight recharge wells, this system is the largest geothermal installation of its kind within Winnipeg. Since November 2012, the plant has delivered reliable, year‑round heating and cooling without using the backup gas boilers, significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions for the building while showcasing pragmatic geothermal innovation.
Project Highlights
- Designed a geothermal heat pump system to serve the 400,000 square foot IKEA Winnipeg store
- Drilled and completed four pumping wells and eight recharge wells – the largest of it’s kind in Winnipeg
- Engineered wellfield layout and hydraulic balancing to optimize performance and facilitate maintenance redundancy
- Lowered carbon footprint for IKEA Winnipeg