SANEXEN has completed one of the most significant projects in its 40-year history: the remediation of the former Landreville quarry in Boucherville. This site was subjected to illegal dumping of toxic waste during the 1970s and early 1980s, as was the case for many other sites across Québec at a time when such practices were unfortunately widespread. The current owner of the site since 1988, Les Carrières Rive-Sud inc. (CRS), committed to Quebec’s Ministère de l’Environnement, de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques, de la Faune et des Parcs (MELCCFP) to remediate the site and, once remediation was complete, to transfer it to the City of Boucherville, which will develop it into a regional park for the benefit of the community.
SANEXEN was retained as the prime contractor, with execution of the work taking place between 2018 and 2025.
Degraded Site Rehabilitation Remediation Work
The CRS site rehabilitation remediation work essentially consisted of safely and permanently confining the toxic materials that had been buried in part of the quarry, as well as backfilling a portion of the flooded area of the CRS site in order to stabilize the wall of the former landfill. To achieve this, approximately 2.5 million cubic metres of clean soils and coarse materials (concrete, brick, and rock) were imported to the site. The CRS site rehabilitation remediation plan also included gas capture and treatment, as well as groundwater quality monitoring.
Through the CRS project, Sanexen successfully combined its expertise in risk assessment, contaminated site remediation, and soil and materials management, while further developing and refining its expertise in importing soils and materials into quarries. Its outstanding operations team maintained high-quality standards for its clients by delivering fast, turnkey services without ever compromising compliance, while ensuring full adherence to the rehabilitation remediation plan.
A project that was initially expected to last 15 years was completed in just 7 years of operation, representing a gain of more than 50% in efficiency gain.
Stakeholders
This type of project cannot be carried out successfully without the involvement of multiple stakeholders. Collaboration among between the landowner, the City of Boucherville, the MELCCFP, the citizen-based vigilance committee, and Sanexen’s dedicated team made this project a success in every respect.
The success of this the project was also made possible thanks to the contribution of numerous clients who played a major role by importing more than 4 million tonnes of various non-contaminated soils and materials. These materials came, among other sources, from major infrastructure projects in Montréal and on the South Shore, including the construction of the REM, the rehabilitation remediation of the Louis-Hippolyte-La Fontaine tunnel-bridge, and several others.
Future Regional Park
Once rehabilitation remediation work is complete, the CRS site will be transferred to the City of Boucherville and will become a regional park. Sanexen’s expertise made it possible to transform an environmental liability into a lasting legacy for the environment and for future generations.
Sanexen is proud to have contributed to this unique and pioneering project and hopes that it will pave the way for many others.
Let’s Take Action
Municipalities and landowners seeking to secure, rehabilitateremediate, and restore a sustainable use to their quarries and degraded sites can rely on an experienced partner. Sanexen brings its expertise, rigour, and turnkey approach to help transform environmental challenges into meaningful projects for their the communities. Contact Sanexen today to initiate a strategic discussion and bring to life sustainable, compliant projects that benefit both present and future generations.
