Site Access and Pathway Closures

Construction crews are beginning work on a section of the McKenzie Sanitary Siphon Upgrade, a project that will improve the reliability and capacity of Calgary's wastewater system.

Work includes constructing a temporary access route, installing new sanitary infrastructure, and completing site restoration activities. Construction will take place in and around the pathway network between the Mountain Park Drive SE and the Bow River Pathway, including areas near Mt. Belcher Place SE and Mt. Cascade Place SE.

Residents can expect temporary pathway closures and signed detours throughout the Mountain Park community. Temporary pathway connections will be provided where possible, and sections of the Bow River Pathway may periodically reopen depending on construction activities and site conditions.

Construction is expected to continue through November 2027. Please visit the project page regularly for the latest information on construction activities, project progress, and upcoming work.

Construction Schedule

Construction is scheduled in phases from November 2026 to November 2027.

Phase 1 - November 6 to November 20, 2026
Construction activities include:

• Pathway closures
• Detours
• Temporary access route construction

Phase 2 - November 2026 to November 2027
Ongoing construction activities include:

• Access road construction down the escarpment
• Microtunnel construction activities
• Sanitary pipe and chamber installation
• Site reclamation and restoration activities

The McKenzie Sanitary Siphon consists of an inlet chamber and two underground pipes that conveys wastewater flow beneath the river and through Fish Creek Provincial Park that help transport wastewater to the Fish Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant for treatment. The Siphon is a critical component of the wastewater system, allowing wastewater from upstream communities to cross the river without interruption and preventing sewer backup in homes, businesses, and infrastructure. 

The system was built in 1980 and now requires upgrades which will enhance the system’s reliability and capacity to prevent sewage backups during heavy rainfall events.

Construction is anticipated to begin in summer 2026 and is expected to be completed in fall 2027. Most of the upgrade work involves trench excavation to install two new sanitary pipes. Microtunnelling will be used to install the siphon pipes under the river. 

This project is separate from the Fish Creek Wastewater Plant Upgrade project, but will contribute to efficiently transporting wastewater to the plant.

• Provides resiliency to our wastewater system through installing these new pipes and using the existing pipes as redundancy. This means if the new pipes become inoperable due to an emergency, the existing pipes can be temporarily brought back into service so wastewater can continue to flow to the treatment plant.  
• Adds capacity to the wastewater system to address current and future population growth.
• Ensures wastewater flows freely to the treatment plant where it is cleaned  before releasing into the river, preventing backups in high-flow conditions.