Partnership with Fraser Valley Conservancy Nets Innovative Concrete Tunnel for Amphibian Protection

Lafarge donated materials and labor to build the concrete structure that will serve as a sustainable solution that provides strength for road traffic, low maintenance and durability for the amphibian crossing.

Aug 13, 2015

Lafarge Volunteers Atop Amphibian Tunnel 55ccb89027d1a

The Fraser Valley Conservancy has been working with local landowners in the Ryder Lake area of Chilliwack, BC since 2008 to study the migration patterns of local amphibians and their plight when moving across roads from
woodlands to wetlands. Work to fabricate and install a tunnel for toadlets caught Lafarge Canada Inc.’s attention because the project aligns with the company’s community investment pillars of education, environment and
sustainable construction.

For four days in July Lafarge crews worked to install a tunnel under the road and rebuild the road for traffic so that a different kind of traffic could flow better- that of baby toadlets. The toadlets had previously been perishing in
mass numbers as identified by the Conservancy studies.

An innovative design for the concrete tunnel which allows light into the space while assuring structural integrity was used. Studies have shown that the amphibians will not use the crossing if it is too dark so a manhole-type grate
system was cast for Lafarge and donated to the project by Langley Concrete. The concrete structure is a sustainable solution as it provides strength for road traffic, low maintenance and durability.

“Our partnership with Lafarge has enabled us to finally implement this toad tunnel which has been a vision for the conservancy for many years,” commented Joanne Neilson, executive director of the Fraser Valley Conservancy.
“Lafarge brought the construction expertise and manpower that we were lacking to help us achieve this important conservation goal,” she continued.

During the weekend Chilliwack Toad Fest, David Redfern, Vice President of Lafarge in the Vancouver area added a $10,000 cash donation to the materials and volunteer support provided to the project. He stated, “Lafarge is
proud to be integrally involved in this biodiversity project which supports the environment in the Fraser Valley and educates the public about sensitive toad populations all while testing an innovation in wildlife crossings.”