City announces the start of the utility relocation project to make way for main Green Line construction

With the Construction Manager on board, The City is moving forward with the start of a Green Line utility relocation project. This project will make way for the Green Line tunnel and stations along segment 2, from the Elbow River to 16 Avenue N. The City is prioritizing work in Beltline east and Downtown in the first phase of the project.

Preconstruction planning starts this spring with construction starting fall 2021 and an overall project timeline of two to three years. Construction with the highest impacts will likely happen in spring 2022 and through to completion.

The utility relocation project is an important milestone on the Green Line journey, says Green Line General Manager Michael Thompson. “This essential advanced work project will make way for the Green Line by relocating shallow and deep embedded utilities in some areas of Beltline east and Downtown that will conflict with main construction.”

This is a major milestone for Green Line illustrating the work that continues to be initiated to move Green Line forward as we complete discussions with the province.

Not all areas of Beltline east and Downtown will be impacted, says Thompson. As preconstruction planning begins and a schedule developed, we will communicate more details about specific impacts throughout the area. 

Thompson says The City is committed to supporting business and residents. “The City is undertaking a review of its stakeholders in Beltline and Downtown potentially impacted by the project to ensure they are engaged and informed, and any necessary mitigation is considered. The City has a team that will be equipped to respond to public concerns, address issues and support timely resolution. We are also developing a Business Support Program to work with businesses throughout construction.”

Geotechnical Drilling in Downtown Calgary to analyze underground conditions before construction begins.

To manage the relocation of City utilities, and to help The City schedule and coordinate the relocation of third-party utilities for electricity, phone, cable and fiber optic, internet and other services, The City selected PCL Construction Management Inc. as the Construction Management (CM) contractor.

PCL is responsible for completing the detailed planning and doing the work to relocate City utilities. They will also help The City develop the schedule and coordinate third-party utility relocations.

An additional challenge is coordinating construction with other projects in the area. The City will work with Calgary Municipal Land Corporation (CMLC) to coordinate construction activities between projects and with the Stampede to coordinate access to and from event sites during construction.

Since 2017, Green Line has been conducting utility relocations and other enabling works and early works projects along the southeast alignment from Shepard to Ramsay/Inglewood stations. While the current project is much larger in scope, the southeast projects provided a valuable opportunity to learn from businesses and communities impacted by the earlier enabling works.