PROJECTS
Canada's Largest Expansion Joint Project
Oakridge Centre Redevelopment
Vancouver, BC
Project Value
$16.9 Million
Thousands of linear feet of specialized expansion systems
Industry Recognition
2026 SWA Trillium Award
Timeline
5 years (2021-26)
Services
Expansion Joints, Concrete Remediation, FRP Strengthening
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Company Name, Location
Specialty Contracting at a Different Scale
Oakridge is the largest project in Retro’s history and represents Canada’s largest expansion joint project.
From initial budgeting in 2021 through completion in 2026, Retro brought together specialty contracting expertise, engineering knowledge and disciplined project management. The team delivered one of Canada’s most demanding expansion joint and structural strengthening programs.
From initial budgeting in 2021 through completion in 2026, Retro brought together specialty contracting expertise, engineering knowledge and disciplined project management. The team delivered one of Canada’s most demanding expansion joint and structural strengthening programs.
THE CHALLENGE
A Landmark Development With Complexity at Every Level
Oakridge required Retro to deliver specialized work across parkades, podiums, retail spaces, transit interfaces, ramps, loading areas and towers, each with different structural and performance requirements.
The challenge went beyond scale. Actual site conditions frequently differed from the drawings and consultant recommendations, requiring Retro to adapt materials, installation methods and details while work was already underway.
At the same time, the team had to maintain stringent engineering and life-safety requirements across complex structural transitions.
The challenge went beyond scale. Actual site conditions frequently differed from the drawings and consultant recommendations, requiring Retro to adapt materials, installation methods and details while work was already underway.
At the same time, the team had to maintain stringent engineering and life-safety requirements across complex structural transitions.
THE SOLUTION
Specialized Systems, Engineered for Each Environment
Retro supplied and installed thousands of linear feet of specialized expansion joint systems selected for the conditions of each location.
The scope included seismic, watertight and fire-rated systems across high-traffic parkades, retail areas, ramps, loading zones, plazas and vertical transitions, along with custom stainless steel cover plates for high-load locations.
Where concrete substrates did not meet required specifications, Retro completed targeted remediation before installation. Engineered FRP strengthening was also installed at selected slabs and soffits to increase structural capacity.
The scope included seismic, watertight and fire-rated systems across high-traffic parkades, retail areas, ramps, loading zones, plazas and vertical transitions, along with custom stainless steel cover plates for high-load locations.
Where concrete substrates did not meet required specifications, Retro completed targeted remediation before installation. Engineered FRP strengthening was also installed at selected slabs and soffits to increase structural capacity.
THE APPROACH
Solving What Couldn’t Be Seen on the Drawings
One of the defining challenges at Oakridge was the gap between design intent and actual field conditions.
Retro worked as a technical problem-solving partner, identifying site conditions, sourcing alternative materials, adapting installation methods and developing site-specific solutions where standard details could not be used.
That included remediation of out-of-spec concrete, non-standard structural conditions and complex applications involving large eight-inch expansion systems.
The ability to solve these issues quickly helped keep work moving across multiple active areas of the development.
Retro worked as a technical problem-solving partner, identifying site conditions, sourcing alternative materials, adapting installation methods and developing site-specific solutions where standard details could not be used.
That included remediation of out-of-spec concrete, non-standard structural conditions and complex applications involving large eight-inch expansion systems.
The ability to solve these issues quickly helped keep work moving across multiple active areas of the development.
THE OUTCOME
One Coordinated Scope Across a Landmark Development
Despite multiple contracts, changing site conditions and demanding construction sequencing, Retro delivered its work across the development while coordinating with the broader construction program.
The completed scope provided:
The completed scope provided: