Construction industry calls for fair risk allocation in extreme weather

Representatives of the construction sector say they need to be involved in how extreme weather risks are addressed in project planning, procurement, and contract delivery. On Aug. 26, council's infrastructure committee heard from representatives from the Edmonton Construction Association, which represents the industrial, commercial, and institutional construction sectors, including contractors hired for public projects such as roads and neighbourhood renewal. The shortness of Edmonton's construction season has been exacerbated by repeat storms, and it can be hard to make up for weather-related delays, said Ryan Christensen, chair of the ECA's board.

The association is calling for risk to be fairly allocated in construction contracts. "Contractors can manage labour, productivity, and construction methods, but no contractor can manage record rainfall or prolonged weather events," Christensen said. "When weather moves beyond what could have been reasonably anticipated, the focus should not be on which party can absorb the impact. It should be on how project partners work together to overcome that." The ECA's Falynn Schellenberg said the city needs to offer contractors flexibility on schedules, contract administration, and sequencing to ensure projects are completed safely and to a high standard.

The Edmonton region experienced 34 thunderstorms in June and July, which dropped about 580 millimetres of rain. The city's administration said land development projects have been delayed due to rain, and some timelines for land sales in Goodridge Corners, the Exhibition Lands, and Blatchford will need to be pushed from 2026 to 2027. The rain caused delays for stages 2 and 3 of the Terwillegar Drive expansion, the Yellowhead Trail Freeway conversion, and the Valley Line West LRT, but overall, those projects are expected to be complete on schedule. Some work on the Capital Line South LRT will be rescheduled into winter or the 2027 season.