Calgary’s aging infrastructure slapped with $6B price tag: report

Calgary city council learned Wednesday that it would cost nearly $6 billion to address infrastructure currently in "poor condition" across the city.

It would cost almost $6 billion to address Calgary’s aging infrastructure currently in “poor condition”, city council has learned.

The report, presented to officials on Wednesday, found that 11 per cent of city infrastructure is in poor shape.

It also said that more than $1.5 billion in costs would need to go towards aging water mains and treatment plants.

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Council also learned that if all of the transit infrastructure classified as “poor condition” was replaced, it would cost more than $2.3 billion over the next decade.

Administrators say the report is an early warning for council, so decisions can be made.

“Part of the nature of this is to try and get out in front of those assets before they cause a catastrophic failure or loss in service,” said Steve Wyton with the City of Calgary’s asset management planning department.

“What we are doing is accelerating to make sure that we understand the risk profile.”

The report also suggested millions are needed to fix crumbling pavement and replace more than 10,000 rusted streetlight poles.

Following a review of the findings, it’s expected that the city will provide a 10-year plan for priority projects by May.

All funding discussions will take place during budget talks in November.