BIM Modeling Saves $18M on $100M Canadian Infrastructure Project

Optimar Precon helped transform a $100 million urban highway upgrade in Toronto through advanced BIM modeling. The project involved a 10-kilometer stretch with smart traffic systems and sustainable drainage. The goal was clear: improve coordination, cut costs, and deliver a future-ready infrastructure solution with minimal disruption to one of Canada’s busiest cities.

With over 22 years of BIM expertise, our team used Autodesk Revit and Navisworks to develop a detailed digital twin of the highway. This supported our client’s need for a smarter, greener, and more coordinated build.

The project started with over 400 outdated CAD drawings and scattered survey data from multiple stakeholders. As a result, early-stage reviews uncovered more than 200 design conflicts—such as drainage systems clashing with bridge supports. These issues put the project at risk of $10 million in delays and rework, and threatened the construction timeline by three months.

On top of that, the client needed full compliance with CEAA environmental regulations, which required accurate integration of sustainable features like permeable pavements and low-impact lighting systems.

Manual coordination was no longer an option. The client needed a BIM solution to unify the design and keep construction risk-free.

Optimar Precon implemented a comprehensive BIM strategy to streamline planning and eliminate rework:

• Data Integration
  Consolidated 400+ 2D CAD files and survey data into a single 3D BIM model in Revit. The model covered highway geometry, utility networks, drainage, and smart traffic systems.
• Clash Detection
  Identified and resolved 250+ design clashes in Navisworks—such as underground utilities intersecting with structural footings—well before construction began.
• Sustainability Modeling
  Integrated CEAA-compliant elements directly into the model, including permeable pavements, bioswales, and energy-efficient lighting for environmental approvals.
• 4D Scheduling
  Added time-based data to support construction phasing, reducing potential traffic disruption across all work zones.
• Cloud Collaboration
  Hosted the model in a Common Data Environment (CDE), providing real-time access to engineers, contractors, and regulatory authorities across Canada.

We also conducted bi-weekly BIM coordination meetings and trained project stakeholders on using the model effectively, ensuring consistent alignment from start to finish.

Our BIM services delivered major improvements across the board:

• Cost Savings
  Design optimization and clash resolution cut project costs by 18%, saving over $18 million.
• Rework Prevention
  Reduced design-related rework by an estimated 95%, saving over 200 field hours and significant labor/material costs.
• Faster Delivery
  Cut the design phase by eight weeks, keeping the build on schedule.
• Environmental Compliance
  Achieved full CEAA approval with no revisions required.
• Stronger Collaboration
  98% of design reviews were completed on time, thanks to real-time access and better coordination.

The client praised our precision and communication. They noted that our BIM model was key to navigating complex regulatory requirements.

Ready to streamline your infrastructure projects with BIM? Contact Optimar Precon at support@optimarprecon.com or visit our BIM Services page to discover cost-saving solutions.