With six major freeway-to-freeway interchanges along its 109 km (67.7 mi) length, the multi-lane 407 ETR was one of the largest single engineering projects in Canadian history, and the first of such magnitude in Ontario.

Delcan was hired as an Independent Agent (IA) to audit the development of the entire highway. Over the course of the 14-year project, Delcan took IA Compliance Auditing a step further by pioneering the field of Quality Management Oversight (QMO) services as a cost effective means for clients to manage design-build projects while maintaining quality, safety and budgetary control.

Delcan’s responsibilities to the original Crown Corporation included:

• Design review
• Payment verification compliance audit during construction
• Project commissioning

Delcan’s Independent Agent team developed a streamlined auditing process to deliver up-to-date information, and maximize the amount of time field personnel could spend gathering construction and commissioning data. When the government privatized the 407 in 1999, Delcan’s audit results were pivotal in presenting the proposal to prospective bidders.

In 2000, the successful concession company kept Delcan on to audit the construction of the 39 km (24.2 mi) extension to the 407 ETR. On this leg of the project, Delcan developed a new technique called “Traffic Interface Auditing.” This technique focused on the developer’s adherence to safety standards to ensure the fitness of the highway prior to opening.

Following completion of the east and westerly extensions, Delcan’s role was expanded to oversee operation and maintenance activities, marking the first time a management oversight approach was applied to these areas.

Many of Delcan’s QMO innovations were employed by members of the original 407 IA team in auditing the Transportation Expansion (T-REX) project in Denver and the Oregon Statewide Bridge Rehabilitation Program. In addition, projects at Tacoma, Colorado Springs, Baltimore and St. Louis have also used variations of Delcan’s QMO model.

Delcan’s approach to Quality Management Oversight Services has garnered international recognition.

• Colorado Performance Excellence Award (CPEX)
• International Road Federation Award for Quality Management
• National Partnership for Highway Quality Award

Delcan’s QMO model helps owners and operators:

• Define end products, procedural and quality requirements
• Assess risks and identify an appropriate managing party
• Monitor performance using proprietary tools
• Delineate requirement verification methods
• Evaluate when the project work can eventually be accepted
• Manage and reduce costs in project management and infrastructure delivery
• Deliver superior value to the community