Northern projects: a caring, community-focused approach
For several decades, Englobe has worked closely with various First Nations communities in northern environments. Through an adapted, multidisciplinary approach rooted in caring, collaboration, and respect, together, we have delivered numerous sustainable, meaningful, and structuring infrastructure projects.
To explore this unique way of working in greater depth, Lydia Charbonneau, Project Manager, Geotechnical Engineering at Englobe and a northern projects specialist, invites us to take a closer look at her work.
A field-based approach rooted in proximity and collaboration
Lydia and her colleagues primarily apply their expertise to residential and industrial building projects that provide essential services, such as multi-purpose warehouses, schools, and teacher housing.
As a first step, she carries out a preliminary and comprehensive geotechnical analysis of potentially buildable sites with a community representative. Faced with complex and varied soil topographies, weather conditions that are often extreme, and tight construction timelines, this close collaboration is essential, in her view.
“Beyond logistical and operational challenges, working hand in hand with members of the community allows me not only to overcome these challenges, but also to complete projects that truly reflect their needs, expectations, and values,” she notes.
Northern village of Kangiqsujuaq
A collaborative process that makes a real difference
From their very first interactions, these community representatives become indispensable allies. “Thanks to their deep knowledge of the land and their people, they help me get a feel for their reality, establish a rich and honest dialogue, hear their ideas for sites to be developed, and share my recommendations,” Lydia says.
I truly value these relationships because without them, this sharing of knowledge and experience would not be possible.
notes Lydia Charbonneau, Project Manager, Geotechnical Engineering at Englobe and a northern projects specialist
Lydia Charbonneau, Project Manager, Geotechnical Engineering at Englobe, and a northern projects specialist, is conducting topographic surveys on potential real estate development sites using a tripod-mounted 3D scanner. This technology captures a detailed and accurate representation of the terrain, supporting planning, design, and informed decision-making from the earliest stages of a project.
In addition, these same community members also accompany her on targeted site visits, support her in understanding the changes to the topographical parameters of their environment, and help her build relationships with key community leaders and members.
When sensory and technological inputs combine
When conducting geotechnical investigations in wide-open environments, including areas as varied as the Arctic tundra, Lydia draws on her sharp observation skills, her deep understanding of the land, and simple, effective technologies to begin her field analysis.
Equipped with a handheld GPS, her cell phone, and a tablet, she carefully maps the soils she encounters, specifically through timestamped and geolocated photos. These allow her to precisely divide the site into a variety of zones based on specific characteristics, such as changes in elevation or soil composition. At the same time, when assessing smaller sites, she completes the topographical analysis using a tripod-mounted 3D scanner to obtain a more detailed model and maintain the agility she needs to work efficiently.
Lydia will also always prioritize the investigation of sites near the community’s activity hub, to mitigate factors such as geographic isolation and snow-clearing delays, which can sometimes last up to two weeks during blizzards.
Geotechnical drilling in the northern village of Aupaluk.
An in-depth, insightful analysis
Once the data has been fully collected and consolidated, Lydia and her team begin an in-depth analysis. Based on the overall picture and the findings that emerge, they then prepare a detailed report in which they state and consolidate their recommendations, specifically with respect to which geotechnical studies should be carried out, and the construction conditions required to complete the project.
In short, the first phase of this highly collaborative approach helps optimize the “construction potential” of the community and its projects, by providing a more granular view, enhanced parameters, and improved risk management.
A multidisciplinary approach that amplifies value
Once the project site is selected and all necessary construction authorizations are obtained, Lydia and her team's geotechnical expertise is enhanced by complementary services offered through Englobe’s multidisciplinary engineering platform.
In Lydia’s opinion, “Having the ability to offer such varied and complementary services allows us to have even more impact and truly make a difference.”
In my opinion, this agility and versatility represent one of our greatest strengths at Englobe!
says Lydia
Environmental assessment fieldwork in a northern Québec community, showing excavation activities near buildings and storage containers for site investigation and environmental characterization.
1- Environmental expertise
Our environmental teams’ expertise is often called upon to establish a site’s “Day 0” portrait, which refers to its initial condition before any form of contamination occurs.
The team maintains a constant focus on optimizing costs and timelines. For example, during drilling work, versatile technicians trained in both disciplines will simultaneously collect soil samples which they will then analyze in a laboratory setting. This enables the team to detect any form of hazardous contaminant and recommend appropriate remediation measures.
Hydrogeological field monitoring equipment installed in a northern community, used to collect groundwater data near residential and municipal infrastructure in Nunavik, Québec.
2- Hydrogeology expertise
Our hydrogeology experts also work to carry out subsurface characterization studies on the project site. This crucial contribution strengthens the viability of the project’s “foundations,” particularly by identifying the presence of watercourses and determining their respective discharge rates.
For example, this work may involve diverting underground rivers such as taliks, which are layers of thawed ground located within a permafrost area. This team would also implement adapted water management if excavations were required, and would carefully adjust water pumping rates based on the soil’s topographical characteristics.
Pavement inspection site at a remote gravel airport in northern Québec.
3- Pavement expertise
Lastly, our pavement professionals add the final touch to effectively support the project’s logistical aspects.
Many of these northern communities do not have underground piping, primarily due to the extreme cold and the presence of permafrost across their territories. Our teams work to create easily navigable access roads, enabling heavy machinery to carry out water supply and wastewater management operations.
With respect to northern airport runway refurbishment projects, the team also carries out detailed onsite analyses of any structural defects that have appeared over time and makes the necessary recommendations for their rehabilitation.
The added value of these interventions is both significant and very high, as the majority of northern villages are accessible only by air.
A lasting impact, on a human scale
This combined expertise is a key component in Englobe’s deeply human approach, exemplified by an integrated way of working that delivers lasting and positive outcomes for these communities and their residents.
Ultimately, the seamless, multidisciplinary, and collaborative work carried out by our teams in northern communities allows us to transform these communities’ development ambitions into concrete, tangible outcomes that are founded on shared values.