Stéphanie Carrière: At the Heart of Construction Site Communications

On a major construction project like the redevelopment of Sainte-Catherine Street West, maintaining smooth operations depends on more than signage alone. It also relies on a key ingredient: trust. Since 2023, Stéphanie Carrière, Liaison Officer at Intervia, has embodied this role of proximity by supporting local residents day in and day out.

An unconventional career path

Trained in food science, Stéphanie began her career in the agri-food sector, working with nuts, dried fruits, dairy products and later in the bakery industry. Along the way, she developed strong expertise in logistics, quality control, complaint management and customer service.

After a stint as a Project Manager at McGill University, she joined Intervia. “Naively,” she says, she jumped in “without expectations,” quickly falling under the spell of the dynamism and team spirit on the Sainte-Catherine Street West worksite.

“When a local business owner talks to me about delivery challenges, I understand. I faced the same issues in a processing plant. It gives me a particular sensitivity to the operational realities of businesses.”

Specifically hired for the Sainte-Catherine Street West project, Stéphanie has provided essential stability in maintaining community support around this major construction site. “Having someone dedicated to the project changes everything. Residents know who to talk to; they don’t have to repeat their story to five different people. It creates continuity and reassurance.”

Trust at the core of her role

On a daily basis, her approach is built on listening, responsiveness and transparency. “Trust is really the foundation. Even when the answer to a request is negative, simply taking the time to seek out an answer and get back quickly makes all the difference.”

Stéphanie always prioritizes face-to-face interactions to defuse tensions. “Nothing replaces being there in person. When you run into people on the worksite and take the time to talk, it creates a human connection that no email can replace.”

Observing to act more effectively

Stéphanie regularly walks the site to identify potential issues. Nothing escapes her attention: blocked access points, emergency vehicle circulation, mobility for people with reduced mobility, and pedestrian flow dynamics.

“I sit and observe… Can a person using a wheelchair cross the temporary walkway? Are the signs clear? These observations allow me to go back to the team and suggest concrete adjustments.”

One of her most notable interventions came near Dorchester Square, where she observed that access to a private parking lot was causing congestion. Her assessment led to signage and traffic adjustments that made daily life easier for users.

Negotiation and persuasion

The role of a liaison officer also requires constant negotiation skills. Stéphanie navigates the realities of all stakeholders involved. “My job involves a lot of negotiation: understanding everyone’s needs and then finding the right balance so work can move forward while respecting the realities of businesses and local residents.”

Stéphanie’s role illustrates why Intervia places such importance on construction-site liaison and communications. Her daily presence, keen sense of observation and ability to foster dialogue make a tangible difference.

“We don’t always speed up construction activities, but we make things run more smoothly. Instead of things grinding to a halt, they move forward. It reduces tension and has a real impact on the well-being of both worksite teams and the surrounding community.”

Intervia is proud to count on Stéphanie, as well as on a fully dedicated construction-site liaison team. Their presence makes all the difference: they build relationships of trust, defuse tensions by facilitating dialogue, and contribute to the success of infrastructure projects and to a better quality of life for the community.