Inglewood sanitary trunk project
About this project
When water runs down a sink, drain or toilet, it becomes wastewater. To manage this wastewater, sanitary trunks are constructed to deliver wastewater to one of three wastewater treatment plants. The existing sanitary trunk that carries sanitary flow from North Calgary, Airdrie and Cochrane to the Bonnybrook Wastewater Treatment Plant is nearing capacity.
To meet the current and projected wastewater needs, we added 3.5km of new sanitary pipe. This new trunk is critical to maintaining a high-level of sanitary service to Inglewood and surrounding communities.
Construction update - September 2023
Our team is currently working to select and onboard a contractor to support Phase Two in the coming months. Pending this process and weather, we anticipate work may begin again in late fall 2023. This work could include tree removals, hydrovaccing and setting up the construction site. We will be working directly with adjacent businesses and residences to ensure they’re aware of upcoming activity in their neighbourhood.
This essential work will connect two existing trunks on the north and south side of the Bow River by constructing a new sanitary trunk. This will allow us to maintain a high level of sanitary service to Inglewood and surrounding communities. The duration of the project will be 1.5 years, depending on weather and site constraints.
We are currently working with our colleagues to confirm closure and detour information to minimize potential impacts to the community as much as possible. We will reach out to businesses and residents in the coming months when we can share these details and more solid construction timelines.
Most construction will happen between 7:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. The exception is microtunnelling, which may take place 24 hours a day. During construction you will experience increased construction traffic, light and noise. Pathway and road detours will be provided for all closures. Closures may change as construction progresses.
Anticipated Pathway Closures
- Bow River pathway in Inglewood between 8 Street S.E. and 9 Street S.E. (June 2023 through July 2024)
- Bow River pathway in Bridgeland between St. Patrick’s Island and Baines Bridge (July 2023 through July 2024).
Anticipated Road Closures
- 9 Street S.E, and 8 Avenue S.E. intersection for approximately 6 weeks (January – Mid February 2024)
- Three separate and phased detours on eastbound Memorial Drive west of Baines Bridge (July 2023 through July 2024)
Project route and timeline
What is the route for the Inglewood Sanitary Trunk?
Click on image to enlarge and view microtunnelling route.
What is microtunnelling?
Microtunnelling is a method of installing utilities by digging shafts and then connecting them by underground pipes rather than digging large trenches. This allows us to install the pipe with fewer disruptions to traffic and community access.
Tree removal, replanting & repurposing
For project work, trees will be removed on the North and South side of Bow River. We are working closely with City Parks to develop a remediation plan to replant new trees or repurpose trees that are removed.
Trees removed for the project will continue to play a role in the life of our community.
Some removed trees will be repurposed as benches at the City’s Greenview Area Improvements Project to rest, ponder and enjoy the bustling scene on the North side of the Bow River. This demonstrates the City’s commitment to strong community connections and thoughtful stewardship of natural resources.
Tree removals will happen after August 15, 2023 to ensure birds and species are not disturbed. We will continue to share information with your community as these timelines are confirmed.
Construction progress
Completed work
Spring 2019 to Fall 2020
- Construction of shafts 1 – 8
- Installation of all sections of the trunk
- Inner city tie in work at shaft 1
Spring 2021 – Construction
- Landscape maintenance and deficiency work
Fall 2022 – Detailed Design
- Confirm engineering designs
- Confirm size of work areas and tree removals
Future Work
Summer and Early Fall 2023 – Construction Tendering
- Selection of contractor
- Confirmation of construction sites and sequencing
Late Fall 2023
- Construction start
Fall 2024
- Commissioning of wastewater line
Project background
View the Inglewood Sanitary trunk background below or download the PDF version.
Project description
When water runs down a sink, drain or toilet, it becomes wastewater. The current sanitary trunk servicing Inglewood and Ramsay that carries wastewater to treatment plants is nearing capacity.
The Inglewood Sanitary Trunk project will add 4km of sanitary pipe to meet growing wastewater needs. This is critical to maintaining a high-level of sanitary service in Inglewood, Ramsay, and surrounding communities.
Phase One of the Inglewood Sanitary Trunk (IST) was completed in November 2020. It connects the Inner City Trunk in North Inglewood to the Bonnybrook Wastewater Treatment Plant (BBWWTP).
Phase Two of the project will build a new sanitary trunk to connect two existing trunks on the north and south side of the Bow River.

Construction methods
A microtunnelling method will be used for this work. Microtunneling is very precise and less disruptive to the community and the environment than traditional construction, which requires land to be dug up, removed, and replaced once work is complete.
We will also construct two shafts east of the Elbow River, and set up a construction staging area on the south side of the Bow River (7 Avenue and 9 Street S.E. intersection). A small staging area will also be set up on the north side of the river.
Tree removal and remediation
For project work, trees will be removed on the north and south side of Bow River. We are working closely with City Parks on a remediation plan to replant new trees or repurpose trees that are removed.

Construction impacts
Construction will begin this summer for about one year. Most activity will happen between 7:30a.m. and 6:00p.m. though some microtunneling may take place 24 hours a day. We will notify nearby residents and businesses when late night work is required.
Area residents may temporarily experience increased noise and vibration, as well as increased construction traffic and noise.
We are working closely with our contractor to mitigate these effects wherever possible.
Pathway and road detours will be provided for all closures. Closures may change as the project progresses.
Anticipated closures
Bow River pathway between 8th and 9th St S.E.
June 2023 – July 2024
Bow River pathway between St. Patrick’s Island and Baines Bridge.
July 2023 – July 2024
9th St S.E, and 8th Ave S.E. intersection.
January – February 2024
3 separate, phased detours eastbound Memorial Drive, west of Baines Bridge.
July 2023 – July 2024

Tree removal and remediation plan
Trees removed for the project will continue to play a role in the life of our community.
Some removed trees will be repurposed as horizontal seating at the Greenview Area Improvements Project for residents to sit, ponder and enjoy the bustling scene on the North side of the Bow River. This demonstrates the City’s commitment to strong community connections and thoughtful stewardship of natural resources.
Removing a tree is a last resort. Some trees must be removed so work can be done safely and efficiently. We have adjusted our work so we can save trees wherever possible. Tree removals will happen before April 15, 2023 or after August 15, 2023 to ensure birds and species are not disturbed.
We will continue to share information with your community as these timelines are confirmed.
