Calgary road closures start this weekend ahead of water main work on Monday

City of Calgary officials are seeking another $609 million to cover costs of fast-tracked work to replace the Bearspaw South feeder main and to reinforce the old, aging line while that work is happening.

The City of Calgary says road closures and lane reductions will start this weekend as crews prepare to work on the Bearspaw South feeder main once again.

The problematic pipe has suffered two catastrophic breaks since June 2024, both prompting long-lasting water restrictions.

The upcoming work, which starts Monday, will see repairs made to nine segments of the pipe that are experiencing enhanced deterioration.

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The reinforcements are intended to support the feeder main until a new parallel steel pipe is completed and can take over service from the current line.

Six of the nine segments are on 16 Avenue N.W. near the Sarcee Trail interchange, and three are at the Point Mckay Park.

Traffic changes, road closures

Starting Saturday morning, lane reductions will be in place on 16 Avenue N.W. near the Sarcee Trail interchange, along with full closures of the exit ramp from 16 Avenue N.W. to Sarcee Trail — and the exit from Sarcee Trail to westbound 16 Avenue N.W.

“We encourage drivers who are heading west on 16 Avenue to plan ahead and anticipate a slowdown,” said Michael Thompson, the City of Calgary’s general manager of infrastructure services.

Water restrictions

During the repair work, Calgary will again be facing water restrictions.

The city has slightly raised its sustainable water use level and is asking Calgarians to cut consumption by three per cent, about 25 litres per person.

It’s a goal that Thompson says is “very achievable.”

“It’s time to get ready,” he said on Thursday, telling citizens to get their laundry done and remind friends and neighbours about the upcoming water restrictions.

When they start on Monday, Calgarians will be asked to take the following actions:

• Keep showers to three minutes or less;
• Flush toilets only when necessary; and
• Only run dishwashers and washing machines when there is a full load.

Outdoor water use will not be permitted during the four weeks that the repair work is underway.

Information postcards will start arriving at Calgary homes on Thursday, reminding them about the restrictions.

Work is expected to last four weeks.

“I know this is a situation nobody wants to be in. I know that it is frustrating that we are once again entering Stage 4 water restrictions,” said Mayor Jeromy Farkas on Thursday.

Another set of water restrictions is anticipated in the fall as the final stage of work is completed.

“This pipe, as it’s been said before, is terminally ill and could fail at any minute, so these planned shutdowns may not be the only instance where we have to deal with this challenge as a city,” Farkas said.

During the water main repair work, regular updates will be provided online at Calgary.ca.