The Fraser Valley Conservancy has partnered with local landowners in the Ryder Lake area of Chilliwack, BC since 2008 to analyse the migration patterns of local amphibians and their troubles when moving across roads from woodlands to wetlands.
Lafarge Canada’s attention was drawn to building work to install a tunnel for toadlets. The project aligns with the company’s community investment pillars of education, environment and sustainable construction.
In July, Lafarge crews worked for four days to install a tunnel under the road and rebuild the road for traffic. The toadlets had previously been dying in mass numbers as they attempted to cross the road.
An innovative design for the concrete tunnel which allows light into the space while assuring structural integrity was utilised. 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.
Edited from source by Joseph Green. Source: Lafarge NA