Calgary Announces Construction Details for Critical Water Main Replacement Project
The City of Calgary has unveiled specific construction details for Stage B of the Bearspaw South feeder main replacement project, marking a significant step forward in protecting the city's drinking water infrastructure. According to municipal officials, this essential work will begin in May 2026 and utilize open-cut construction techniques along 34th Avenue N.W. in the Bowness community.
Construction Timeline and Community Impact
Municipal authorities confirmed in a recent news release that Stage B construction is scheduled to span approximately five months, with completion targeted for October 2026. The project will cover 14 blocks from 73rd Street to 87th Street N.W., representing a substantial infrastructure undertaking that will inevitably affect local residents.
The city acknowledges that open-cut construction will create significant disruptions for area residents, including traffic interruptions, noise pollution, parking limitations, dust generation, and changes to local access patterns. City representatives emphasized that planning teams are actively assessing the full scope of impacts and developing mitigation strategies.
Construction Methodology and Efficiency
Open-cut construction involves excavating trenches along the road right-of-way, installing new piping directly within these open trenches, then backfilling and restoring the surface upon completion. This approach differs substantially from the microtunneling method being employed for Stage A of the same project, which runs from the Shaganappi pump station to 73rd Street N.W.
The city explained that work will proceed in sequenced sections along the alignment, allowing crews to complete one or two sections simultaneously before moving to adjacent areas. This methodology enables more efficient project execution while significantly reducing the overall construction timeline compared to alternative approaches.
Infrastructure Necessity and Historical Context
"Replacing the Bearspaw South Feeder Main is essential to protecting Calgary's drinking water system and every day matters," stated city officials, highlighting the critical nature of this infrastructure investment. The new feeder main will be constructed one block parallel to the existing pipeline, which lies beneath 33rd Avenue N.W.
This replacement project gains urgency from the existing main's recent performance history, having ruptured twice within the past two years - first on June 5, 2024, and most recently on December 30, 2025. Both incidents triggered citywide water restrictions and required extensive repair periods, underscoring the vulnerability of Calgary's aging water infrastructure.
Community Engagement and Mitigation Efforts
City representatives committed to working closely with affected communities throughout the construction period, promising to provide detailed information about construction activities as plans evolve. Municipal teams will address unique needs of individual residents and implement practical mitigation measures where feasible.
The open-cut approach offers particular advantages for this project, including reduced duration of localized impacts compared to alternative construction methods. However, residents near Edworthy Park should prepare for potential temporary relocations during the construction period, as the project will substantially affect daily life in the immediate vicinity.
As Calgary moves forward with this critical infrastructure renewal, municipal officials emphasize the long-term benefits of a reliable water distribution system, even as short-term inconveniences will inevitably affect local communities throughout the five-month construction window.
