Published: October 8, 2026
From restoring a critical transportation corridor following one of British Columbia’s most significant climate events to helping shape transportation design guidance used across Canada, McElhanney’s people are contributing to the projects, partnerships, and professional leadership that advance transportation in communities across the country.
At last weekend’s Transportation Association of Canada (TAC) Awards Ceremony in Winnipeg, two of those contributions received national recognition. The Highway 7 Seabird Bluff Slide Recovery Project, led by the British Columbia Ministry of Transportation and Transit in partnership with McElhanney, Thurber, Tetra Tech, Stantec, and Stqo:Ya, received TAC’s 2026 Climate Action Achievement Award.
TAC’s Revisions and Additions Subcommittee also received the 2026 Committee Excellence Award under the leadership of Dave Dulay, McElhanney’s Vice President of Major Project Delivery, who chairs the Committee.
Strengthening Resilience Along Highway 7
The Climate Action Achievement Award recognizes organizations that are advancing climate change adaptation and mitigation within Canada’s transportation sector. This year, TAC recognized the British Columbia Ministry of Transportation and Transit and its project partners for the Highway 7 Seabird Bluff Slide Recovery Project.
This project stemmed from the devastating atmospheric river event that struck British Columbia in November 2021. At Seabird Bluff, approximately 82,000m³ of debris blocked Highway 7, severing a key transportation connection and disrupting the movement of people and goods throughout the region.
Working collaboratively, the project team moved beyond emergency recovery to develop a long-term solution designed to improve resilience and reduce future risk. Work included a debris-flow mitigation system, natural area restoration through more than 5,000 native plantings, fish habitat enhancements, and engagement with Seabird Island Band to support cultural and archaeological protections throughout the project.
Today, the corridor is better positioned to withstand future climate-related events while continuing to serve as an important transportation route for communities, businesses, and travellers throughout the region.
Recognizing Leadership that Advances the Profession
McElhanney is also proud to celebrate Dave Dulay’s leadership of TAC’s Revisions and Additions Subcommittee, recipient of the 2026 Committee Excellence Award. This award recognizes excellence and innovation among TAC’s volunteer committees, subcommittees, working groups, and project steering committees.
As Chair, Dave works alongside transportation professionals from across Canada to review and advance geometric design guidance that supports roadway planning and design nationwide. Through this role, he helps bring together diverse perspectives, share technical knowledge, and contribute to the continued evolution of industry best practices.
While much of this work takes place behind the scenes, its impact extends well beyond any single project. The guidance developed through TAC helps transportation practitioners deliver safer, more consistent and more effective infrastructure for the communities they serve.
While different in scope, both recognitions demonstrate how project delivery and industry leadership work hand in hand to strengthen transportation systems across Canada.
To learn more about this year’s award winners, visit https://www.tac-atc.ca/en/whats-happening/news/2026-technical-achievement-award-winners/