Massive long-term project to store radioactive fuel begins next phase with selection of contractors

A landmark project to permanently store Canada’s nuclear waste is advancing, with the selection of a consortium of engineering and construction firms to deliver the multibillion-dollar facility in northwestern Ontario, according to a May 12 announcement from the Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO).

Omaha, Nebraska-based Kiewit has been named construction lead, while Montreal-headquartered WSP will take charge of design and engineering services. The two firms will head a five-company team tasked with delivering Canada’s first Deep Geological Repository (DGR), a secure underground facility designed to isolate used nuclear fuel from the environment for generations.

Joining the team are Hatch, headquartered in Mississauga, Ontario, which will focus on mining and nuclear systems and facilities design; Thyssen Mining, based in Sherwood, Saskatchewan, which brings specialized mining construction expertise; and Kinectrics, a Toronto-based firm that will serve as the nuclear management advisor.

According to NWMO, the project will cost at least CA$4.5 billion (US$3.2 billion) over the next 10 years, just for the construction phase. But over the facility’s proposed 175-year lifespan, the total cost is expected to reach CA$26 billion, reflecting its long-term operational, monitoring, and closure commitments.

The DGR will be constructed on the traditional territory of the Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation, near the town of Ignace, Ontario. The facility will be located 2,100 to 2,600 feet underground and will feature a network of specially designed placement rooms to safely store used nuclear fuel containers. NWMO said the repository’s design incorporates a multiple-barrier system combining engineered and natural protections to securely contain radioactive material over millennia.

“This is an important milestone for Canada’s plan to safely manage used nuclear fuel,” said NWMO President and CEO Laurie Swami. “Bringing together a team of companies with proven experience in large, complex infrastructure projects ensures we have the right people in place to deliver this project safely and effectively.”

The project will adopt an integrated project delivery (IPD) model, which brings all major partners into a unified project execution team. Under this model, NWMO, Kiewit, WSP, and the other firms will share responsibilities and risks while working together in a co-located office space to foster collaboration and innovation. According to WSP, this approach is intended to streamline decision-making, reduce delays, and enhance project outcomes.

“We look forward to the opportunity to work with our project partners to deliver this invaluable project, an important step forward for Canada’s current and future nuclear energy production,” said Marie-Claude Dumas, president of WSP in Canada.

Construction of the repository will not begin immediately. First, the project must undergo a multiyear regulatory review by the federal government, as well as an Indigenous-led Regulatory Assessment and Approval Process, which will be developed and implemented by Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation. These steps are designed to ensure the project meets rigorous environmental, safety, and social standards while honoring Indigenous sovereignty and stewardship.

If approvals proceed on schedule, construction is expected to begin in the mid-2030s, with the facility becoming operational by the early 2040s, according to CBC News.

The push for secure nuclear waste storage comes as energy demand from emerging technologies—especially data centers—continues to climb. Major tech companies are increasingly turning to nuclear energy as a reliable and carbon-free power source. This trend has driven a rise in nuclear infrastructure work across North America, with contractors such as Fluor citing expanded opportunities in the sector.

Canada’s deep geological repository represents not only a technical milestone but also a long-term public safety and environmental initiative. Once operational, it will play a central role in managing the legacy of the country’s nuclear energy production—offering a secure, science-based solution for thousands of tons of radioactive waste.

Originally reported by Julie Strupp in Construction Dive.