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On November 5, 2025, Ingrid Peignier, Senior Director of Partnerships and Research Valorization at CIRANO, presented the first results of an ongoing CIRANO project at the Canadian Common Ground Alliance (CCGA) Annual Symposium, held in Halifax.
Under the theme “Quantifying the Hidden Costs of Underground Infrastructure Damages,” the presentation aimed to shed light on the socioeconomic costs of underground infrastructure damages in Canada — indirect costs that go far beyond visible repairs to include traffic congestion, service interruptions, emergency interventions, and economic losses.
Ingrid Peignier introduced the new version of CIRANO’s tool for estimating the indirect costs of underground infrastructure damages, the first version of which was launched in 2015. She was introduced by Nathalie Moreau, Executive Director, Prevention and Public Affairs at Info-Excavation, who highlighted the long-standing collaboration between Info-Excavation and CIRANO, which began in 2012.
This updated version is based on a more robust methodology, updated data, and expanded coverage encompassing all Canadian provinces. The tool now enables a more accurate estimation of the indirect costs associated with damages by considering the local economic context, provincial characteristics, and the nature of the affected infrastructure.
This ongoing project aims to support investment decisions and prevention strategies through rigorous, evidence-based assessment. By revealing these hidden costs, it helps demonstrate the economic value of prevention and encourages improved management of underground networks across the country.
Ingrid Peignier’s presentation was praised by participants as a notable opening to the symposium, emphasizing the importance of a scientific and integrated approach to better understand the societal impact of infrastructure damages in Canada.
On the sidelines of the symposium, on November 3, Ingrid Peignier also presented to the CCGA Board of Directors the project’s progress and the key challenges related to underground infrastructure damage databases.