Ward 1 - Kim Tyers

Construction Update - Bearspaw South Feeder Main

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  • January 23, 2026

Overview

The City is pleased to be moving forward with the Bearspaw South Feeder Main (BSFM) Improvements Project, a critical step in strengthening Calgary’s water system. As the largest feeder main in Calgary’s network, BSFM distributes treated water to about 1.5 million people in Calgary and surrounding communities. The project will add a parallel pipe of the same size as the existing BSFM. Over time, this new pipe will take over service from the current line.

This work is an important investment in water infrastructure to support system reliability and reduce the risk of feeder main issues or failures.

Project Duration

Starting in Q1 2026 and is scheduled to be commissioned by December 1, 2026 and surface restoration by Spring 2027.

Project stages

The project will happen in two stages:

  • Stage A: From the Shaganappi Pump Station to 73 Street NW on the west side of the Bow River.
  • Stage B: Continues from 73 Street NW to 89 Street NW, with a potential extension to the Bearspaw Water Treatment Plant.

Stage A has been awarded for construction with site setup starting in late January, 2026. Stage B will undergo detailed design as early as Q1 2026.

Stage A construction

The City is pleased to share we will be proceeding with micro-tunnelling on Stage A for the feeder main replacement. With The City exploring all options to deliver this project faster than originally planned, we are preparing to mobilize and start site setup on January 23, 2026.

Micro-tunnelling is planned for Stage A due to issues with the existing pipe alignment and significant crossings such as 16 Avenue, the Bow River, Sarcee Trail and the CPKC rail line. While some surface work will be required, work can happen at targeted locations instead of along the entire corridor. Micro-tunnelling is the best practical option for this stretch as the buried infrastructure we need to reach can be best accessed in this targeted manner instead of needing open trenches along the corridor.

Stage B construction

Stage B, which spans from 73 Street NW to 87 Street NW, will be constructed using an open-cut method. This approach allows the work to be completed more efficiently and significantly reduces the overall construction schedule. Open-cut construction involves:

  • Crews excavating a trench along the road right-of-way 
  • Installing the new pipe directly in the open trench
  • Backfilling the trench and restoring the surface once work is complete

The replacement feeder main will be installed along 34 Avenue NW. The existing feeder main is located along 33 Avenue NW. 

Construction of Stage B is expected to begin in May 2026 and will take approximately five months. Pipe construction is estimated to be completed by October 2026.

Open-cut construction will be sequenced in large sections along the alignment, with one or two sections completed at a time. As each section is finished, the roadway will be reopened, and crews will move to the next area. This approach helps reduce the duration of localized impacts. More details on construction sequencing and section locations will be shared as it becomes available.

The City recognizes that open-cut construction will result in significant impacts for residents in the area including traffic disruptions, noise, street parking impacts, dust and changes to local access. Plans are rapidly evolving, and teams are currently assessing the full scope of impacts. 

Over the coming weeks and months, the City will work closely with the community to provide greater detail of construction activities, address unique needs of individual residents and support mitigation efforts where practical.

 

Outreach and Information

We recognize the impact of the 2024 and 2025 feeder main breaks to businesses and communities and the importance of timely, considerate communications to interested parties so that you know what's happening, when and where. As part of our commitment to transparent communication, information sessions will be hosted in early 2026 before work starts so that we can answer questions and share details on what to expect. Be sure to check back here for updates on information sessions in 2026.

More information about the project can be found online here: Bearspaw South Feeder Main Improvements Project

Contact

If you have questions or feedback about the project, we’d like to hear from you.

Categories: Bearspaw South Feeder Main Updates, General