Calgary hits milestone on critical water feeder main project

The Bearspaw South Feeder Main Replacement Project has achieved a key milestone as crew members officially finished Stage A microtunneling and installed the concrete carrier pipe on schedule.

“The completion of Stage A microtunneling is a significant step forward for the project,” said Darren Finney, Manager of Major Projects. “This complex work involved tunneling beneath major infrastructure, minimizing impacts on the community. With the concrete carrier pipe now in place, we will continue installing the new steel feeder main, preparing for the critical system connection work planned for the Fall.”

Initiated in January using underground microtunneling to reduce surface disruptions, Stage A has now completed approximately 3.7 kilometers of tunneling between the Shaganappi Pump Station and 73 Street N.W. Crews have fully installed the concrete carrier pipe along this stretch and have pushed more than two kilometers of the new steel feeder main inside it.

Stage B open-cut construction along 34 Avenue N.W. in Bowness began in June and remains on schedule. Workers have installed over one kilometer of steel feeder main, marking 40% completion for this phase. While active construction continues across three blocks, four blocks where pipe installation is complete have already reopened to vehicle traffic, with two more blocks expected to reopen next week. Work is proceeding in sections, with roadways, sidewalks, and property access being restored as crews advance.

Connecting the new feeder main to Calgary’s existing water system will require a shutdown of the Bearspaw South Feeder Main starting in mid-October. The broader infrastructure enhancement process will begin in September across three distinct phases.

First, work to connect the Shaganappi Pump Station to the new feeder main is estimated to begin in September. Concurrently, unrelated work for the new North Calgary Water Servicing feeder main will require a temporary shutdown of the Bearspaw Water Treatment Plant in mid-September. Depending on weather conditions and demand, temporary outdoor water restrictions may be required, with a final decision made closer to the start date.

Next, pipe tie-in connections are estimated to begin in mid-October at various locations along the new pipe using open-cut construction. Stage 4 outdoor water restrictions and indoor water conservation will be mandatory during this phase.

Finally, feeder main commissioning is estimated for mid-November, which includes disinfecting the pipe, filling it with water, and taking the existing feeder main out of service. No restrictions are anticipated during this final stage. All estimated timelines remain subject to change based on construction logistics.

While the feeder main is shut down for system integration, the City will conduct six targeted repairs on the 1,500 mm section of the Bearspaw South Feeder Main along Parkdale Boulevard and Memorial Drive N.W., between the Shaganappi and Memorial pump stations.

Recent condition assessments revealed six specific spots requiring proactive maintenance. Officials confirmed that while the 1,500 mm pipe and the 1,950 mm pipe currently being replaced belong to the same feeder main, the 1,500 mm section remains in good overall condition and does not require full replacement. Performing targeted 24/7 excavations and installing new steel segments during the planned connection shutdown avoids future service disruptions.

The City continues to coordinate directly with impacted residents, businesses, and property owners. Community members can visit the project’s Community Resource Centre at the Bowness Community Association on Mondays and Wednesdays from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., or Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Construction Liaisons are also available in person at the Resource Centre on Wednesdays from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.