Northwest Inner-City Community Drainage Improvements
Construction updates
Upper Plateau Separation Construction
Crews are starting work this month on the final phase of work for the project. The work includes installing two new storm pipes that will cross 10 Street N.W. Because this work includes excavation and installing new pipes there will be impacts to vehicle and pedestrian traffic between Sait Way N.W. and Riley Park.
To complete the work as quickly as possible, and minimize disruption to residents and commuters, crews will be working during the day and at night between August 20 and mid-October 2023.
Crews will be completing this work in two stages. Between August 20, 2023 and early September the work area will be on the east side of 10 Street N.W. Once that work is complete crews will shift the work to the west side of 10 Street N.W. until mid-October 2023.
For both stages of work there will be traffic, pedestrian, and cyclist detours:
- Daytime work: one northbound and one southbound lane of traffic.
- Weekends, evenings, and nights: one lane of alternating traffic.
- East sidewalk closure: August 20 to mid-September.
- West sidewalk closure: Mid-September to mid-October.
- Northbound cyclists: detour will be in place.
- Southbound cyclists: During daytime work will be detoured to travel with southbound traffic. During evenings and nights, a detour will be in place.
Please see the stage one detours and lane closures, as well as the stage two lane closures and detours for more information.
About the project
We’re investing in upgrades to water infrastructure in the inner-city northwest communities to enhance the safety of residents and protect vulnerable areas from the damages caused by stormwater flooding.
Much of the stormwater infrastructure in the area was built to the standard of the time but is now outdated and is being fixed to significantly increase the capacity in these neighbourhoods and reduce flooding caused by intense rainfall.
With support from the Government of Alberta, the construction of these upgrades started in 2021.
Project work and locations
Construction on some projects began in September 2021 and will be completed in phases over the next three years with all projects wrapped up by the end of 2023.
Local drainage improvements
This includes replacing and upgrading storm drains (or catchbasins) and replacing or upsizing existing pipes to increase stormwater capacity. These improvements will all help reduce flooding and pooling in the community.
Projects started in September 2021
- West Hillhurst
- 10th Street NW
- Kensington area
Projects starting in spring 2022
- 1st Avenue NW
- 7th Avenue NW
- Sunnyhill Lane
New storm pipe (Upper Plateau Separation)
A larger, dedicated pipe will provide an express route to move stormwater from the communities on top of the hill directly to the river, bypassing Sunnyside and helping prevent flooding in the area. The Upper Plateau Separation project will work with the 10 Street NW project to achieve this.
The infrastructure will also include a filtration system to help stop pollutants, like grit and oils, from going into the river.
Construction started in November 2021 and is anticipated to be complete by mid-2023.
What we're constructing
Managing construction in the area
Construction schedules for many of these projects are ambitious as they are based on provincial funding commitments as well as provincial and federal environmental regulations.
We understand that construction over the next few years will be challenging for those who travel, live, visit and work in the area. That’s why we’re working together across these and other City projects in the area to help manage construction impacts, including:
- Managing construction schedules to help avoid repeated disruptions to the same area.
- Creating safe detours whether you travel by foot, bike, bus or car.
- Maintaining access to businesses and the community.
We will also work closely with you (residents, business owners and community groups) throughout the pre-construction and construction periods to minimize disruptions.
What to expect
We’ll keep communities up to date with our ongoing plans and construction schedules as timelines and details are finalized. In general, when construction is underway, here’s what you can expect:
Getting around
- Temporary road closures, lane reductions and detours
- Pathway and sidewalk closures and detours.
- Cycle lane detours or “share the lane”
- Temporary transit stop relocations and detours
Construction activity
- An increase in on-site construction activity, including construction crews, vehicles and heavy equipment. For safety, fencing will be installed around construction areas and on-site signage installed.
- Noise, vibrations and dust
- Noise levels will be monitored
- Construction activity on weekdays and weekends is highly likely.
Utilities
- Temporary utility shutdowns may be required.
- Disruptions will be limited to less than eight hours and prior notice will be given to affected customers at least a day in advance.
Tree removal
- To complete work on some of the projects, some trees will need to be removed.
- Trees are important in our community and removing a tree is always a last resort. Through the design process, we have tried to preserve as many trees as possible throughout construction, but some loss will be unavoidable.
- The City is developing a tree protection and compensation plan that will protect some existing trees and a replanting strategy to replace the canopy.
Blue/Green and Black cart collection
- Changes to black/blue/green cart collection locations, depending on any road detours or closures.