17 Ave. S.W. construction
Project update - September 2024
Upcoming Construction: Road Paving
Starting Sunday, September 29 road paving will take place on 17 Avenue S.W., from 2 Street to 8 Street S.W. Sections of 17 Avenue will be closed in four stages. Where possible, paving work has been scheduled in off-peak hours, for short periods of time, to minimize disruption.
- Paving preparations: Saturday September 28, 5 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- Road milling from 2 Street S.W. to 8 Street S.W. (traffic impacts at various locations)
- Stage 1: Sunday September 29, 5 a.m. – 8 p.m.
- Paving west of 2 Street S.W. to east of 5 Street S.W. (4 Street S.W. closed)
- Stage 2: Monday September 30, 5 a.m. – 8 p.m.
- Paving east of 5 Street S.W. to east of College Lane (5A Street S.W. – to/from south, and 6 Street S.W. to/from north, closed)
- Stage 3: Tuesday October 1, 5 a.m. – 3 p.m.
- Paving east of College Lane to east of 8 Street S.W. (7 Street S.W. closed)
- Stage 4: Friday October 4 at 9 p.m. – Saturday October 5 at 6 a.m.
- Paving intersection of 17 Avenue S.W. / 8 Street S.W.
Please note the following:
- Follow road detours as marked
- During these dates / times and 48 hours prior, No Parking signs will be placed and enforced.
- Sidewalks for pedestrian access and crossings will be fully open, except at street closures.
- Flag persons will be present at all times to coordinate traffic, construction trucks and equipment.
- Temporary bus-stops may be in place during this time. Notices will be placed at impacted bus-stops and at Calgary Transit - Home Page
- The paving schedule may be adjusted to accommodate unexpected conditions including inclement weather. We will provide updates here as soon as possible.
Background
As part of the final phase of the 17 Avenue S.W. Reconstruction Project, The City will be completing sidewalk and streetscape improvements along 17 Avenue S.W., from 2 Street to 14 Street S.W. Work this year began in April 2024, and includes:
- Sidewalk repairs from 4 Street to 14 Street S.W.
- Rehabilitation of concrete tree boxes from 4 Street to 14 Street S.W.
- New electrical infrastructure for streetlights and for future needs.
- Top lift paving from 2 Street to 8 Street S.W.
These improvements will complete the major restoration work that has been underway from 2017 through 2019 and will help ensure that 17 Avenue S.W. can continue to serve the business community, residential community, and the many users of the 17 Ave area for many years.
Tentative 2024 Staging Plan
Watch the informational video below for details on construction plans. Further information is also available in the sidewalk repair details section.
Sidewalk repairs and streetscape improvements: 2023 & 2024
The City will be undertaking sidewalk and streetscape improvements along 17 Avenue S.W., from 2 to 14 Street S.W.
This work will be phased over two years (2023 & 2024) to limit impacts to drivers, pedestrians and businesses. Construction will generally be completed in sections along the south side of the avenue in 2023, before moving to the north side in 2024. However, this may be adjusted over the two years to address optimal traffic and pedestrian accommodation, business and City priorities, and weather impacts.
Sidewalk repair details
The sidewalk work is focused on replacement of cracked and damaged sections of city sidewalk along 17 Avenue, typically two rows back from the curb. Additional damaged areas will also be replaced as warranted. In order to optimize project costs and expedite construction, the new sidewalks are paved in standard grey color only.
The areas in front of buildings are typically on private property (reaching about five to ten feet out from building fronts, depending on the location along the avenue). It is the responsibility of individual property owners to repair or replace this area to match the sidewalk replacement work, at their discretion.
Sidewalk work is generally moving from east to west, from 2 Street to 14 Street S.W. over 2023 and 2024 to minimize impacts to events, businesses and community members, as well as accommodate The City’s expanded business patio program. Certain sections of sidewalk replacements on the south side of the avenue are being temporarily paused to accommodate other city work (for example, an emergency sewer line replacement by 2 Street S.W. and other private developments underway along the avenue (McDonald’s redevelopment by 14 Street S.W. and Arlington development by 7 Street S.W.). These areas will be later repaired by The City, or by agreement with the developer.
Work completed in 2017 between Macleod Trail and 2 Street S.W. in the sidewalk zone required full replacement, as installing utility service lines into every property in this section required full removal of the original sidewalk.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are there times when no crews are actively working within a construction zone?
Construction happens in multiple phases and is often completed by more than one specialized contractor or trade. As with all types of construction, certain work must be completed before other types of work can take place.
While every effort is made to align contractors and maintain work within construction zones at all times, factors such as weather, underground conditions or crew, material and equipment availability can impact workflow and scheduling.
In order to protect the work area and ensure the safety of pedestrians and drivers, safety barriers and detours may be left in place when crews are not active on site (for instance, outside of work hours or between work phases). Maintaining barriers also helps to expedite construction when crews arrive, by reducing the time required to set up the work zone.
Project overview
The City is investing in the future of 17 Avenue between Macleod Trail and 14 Street S.W. We're upgrading the utilities, rebuilding the road and improving the area for pedestrians so 17 Avenue can continue to be a vibrant, great space for everyone to enjoy.
Key areas of focus are:
- Rebuilding the road, including a new road design that's safer and more predictable, based on an In-Service Road Safety Review
- Improving crosswalks and intersections for those on foot, including curb extensions on side streets
- Upgrading water and sanitary utilities for current and future development
- Improving sidewalks- new sidewalks and repairs, burying utility lines, LED lighting, sitting areas and new trees
- Upgrading telecommunications, power and gas utilities
- Widening sidewalks and improving the public realm streetscape areas
All major road and utility reconstruction was completed in 2019, with most sections of top-lift paving completed in 2021 & 2022. Remaining sidewalk and streetscape improvements, as well as final areas of toplift paving are scheduled to begin in spring 2023.
Design
Plan view of 17 Avenue S., between Macleod Trail and 14 Street S.W.
Renderings
Past information sessions
Since spring 2015, we've been talking with people who live, work and travel in the area about paving the way for a better 17 Avenue S. You may not have been part of the conversation since the beginning, but feel free to familiarize yourself with how the project has evolved over the past few years.
Check out the information that we've displayed and discussed at previous open houses and information sessions.
March 16 and 18, 2023
The information sessions on March 16 and 18, 2023 provided information related to sidewalk and streetscape improvement work, the Humpy Hollow Park Redevelopment project and Calgary Transit service enhancements.
June 7, 2018
The information session on June 7, 2018 provided an update on the project and the 2018 construction season.
April 4 and April 7, 2018
Two information sessions were held on April 4 and 7, 2018 to provide an update on the project and the 2018 construction season. The information display boards from the presentations are here:
- 17th Ave S.W. Open house board - Map A-1
- 17th Ave S.W. Open house board - Map A-2
- 17th Ave S.W. Open house board - Map A-3
- 17th Ave S.W. Open house board - Map A-4
- 17th Ave S.W. Open house board - Map A-5
- 17th Ave S.W. Open house board - Map A-6
- 17th Ave S.W. Open house board - Map B-1
- 17th Ave S.W. Open house board - Map B-2
Project timeline
- 8 to 14 Street: Fall 2022 – COMPLETE
- Macleod Trail to 2 Street: Fall 2021 – COMPLETE
Road & utility reconstruction: Spring 2017 - Winter 2019 – COMPLETE
Please note: Construction activities are dependent on several factors. Timelines could change due to inclement weather and/or other unexpected circumstances. Schedule updates will be provided regularly.
Stay connected
Budget
$44 million
Related links
Business Improvement Areas and Community Associations
If you live in the area and have questions about your community, please contact one of the following community associations: