Douglasdale and McKenzie Lake Slope Stability and Pathway Project

Project update - April 11, 2019

Work continues on the long term solution to address the slope movements on the escarpment east of the Bow River adjacent to the communities of McKenzie Lake and Douglasdale. These movements have caused damage to The City's pathway along a 3.5 km section.

Phase 1 - Pathway behind Mt. Albert View S.E.

As part of a priority restoration of the slope and pathway, work is taking place on the most urgent section near Mt. Alberta View and includes a retaining wall adjacent to the pathway.

Construction work is divided into three regions (see the map).

Region 1 - Concrete work and retaining wall is complete.
Region 2 - Saddle mounting of anchors is complete.
Region 3 - Saddle mounting of anchors is complete.

Anticipated schedule for upcoming construction includes:

Region 1:

April to June 2019: pathway work and landscaping

Region 2:

April 2019: concrete work and retaining wall
May to Sept 2019: pathway work and landscaping

Region 3:

May 2019: concrete work and retaining wall
May to Sept 2019: pathway work and landscaping

Phase 2 - Pathway North of 130 Avenue S.E.

The next area of priority for pathway and slope remediation is the pathway north of 130 Avenue, behind a section along Douglasdale Point SE. Construction to stabilize the slope and pathway in this area begins Spring 2019 with anticipated completion later in the year. Work will include grading of slope, installation of piles, and pathway and landscaping improvements.

Prior to construction starting, there will be site preparation work done including tree cutting and grass mowing. There may be equipment and workers in the area which may result in intermittent temporary pathway disruptions.

Pathway closure remains in effect

The City has closed approximately one kilometre of the pathway for safety reasons and it will remain closed until restoration of the slope and reconstruction of the pathway can be completed. The pathway has been detoured along Mt. Alberta View and Mt. Douglas Close S.E. For safety reasons follow the detour signs and do not access either the closed area or the slope below it.

Monitoring of the pathway is ongoing to ensure detection of any further erosion.

Project timeline

September 2016:
Restoration work begins on most urgent section of pathway instability
Late 2017:
Construction of long-term solution begins
Fall 2019:
Anticipated completion of Phase 1
Late 2019:
Anticipated completion of Phase 2

Communication

We will continue to provide updates about this project.

Please fill out the 311 online form if you require more information.

About the project

Slope movements on the escarpment east of the Bow River adjacent to the communities of Douglasdale and McKenzie Lake have caused damage to The City's pathway along a 3.5km section.

Since 2005, The City of Calgary has worked with external consultants to monitor, investigate and develop restoration options for The City's infrastructure (the slope and the pathway) in accordance with the Slope Stability Management Framework. In August 2015, a geotechnical consultant completed a feasibility study with initial recommendations and cost estimates for the long-term stabilization of the slope and reconstruction of the pathway. The City's responsibility is to stabilize the slope and the pathway to ensure the safety of pathway users.

In 2016 The City began working on the design and construction of a solution to improve the stability of the slope and the pathway that supports the slope. Repair work in 2016 and early 2017 involved drilling piles to provide firm ground on the pathway area at the top of the slope where the pathway collapsed. The project will take place in phases and over several years.

Heavy rain during the summer of 2016 caused erosion of the pathway in a section behind Mt. Alberta View. As a result of an inspection process the pathway has been closed. See more about the pathway closure. The City will continue to monitor the slope and the pathway.

Slope stability projects are highly complex, and one solution will not fit for every section of the pathway. There may be a variety of solutions developed in order to meet the conditions in each section.