Tuxedo community drainage improvements
Construction updates - September 2023
Crews are starting work on the final phase of work to install larger storm water infrastructure on Centre Street, 26 and 27 Avenue N.W. to reduce flooding caused by intense rainfall. The fist phase of work will be on Centre Street between 25 and 26 Avenue, and the next sections will be on 26 and 27 Avenue N.W.
Between late July and early September two southbound lanes of Centre Street between 25 and 26 Avenue will be closed. One lane of north and southbound traffic will be maintained.
From late August to early October crews will be working on 26 Avenue and 27 Avenue N.W. 26 and 27 Avenue N.W. will be closed to traffic and access to laneways will be restricted while crews are working. Access to business parking in the rear lane between 26 and 27 Avenue will have one access point maintained while this work is underway.
Construction impacts on Centre Street (late July to early September):
- The two southbound lanes of Centre Street will be closed between 25 and 27 Avenue.
- One lane of north and southbound traffic will be maintained on Centre Street while crews are working.
- The sidewalk on the west side of Centre Street will be closed between 25 and 26 Avenue. Pedestrian detours will be in place.
- There will be no on street parking on Centre Street between 24 and 28 Avenue while crews are working.
- There will be no vehicle access to or from Centre Street at 25, 26 and 27 Avenue on the west side of Centre Street.
Construction impacts on Centre Street (late August to early October):
- 26 and 27 Avenue N.W. will be closed to traffic and access to laneways will be restricted.
- Access to business parking in the rear lane between 26 and 27 Avenue will have one access point maintained during construction.
- There will be temporary lane closures on Centre Street.
- Parking along 26 and 27 Avenue N.W. will be restricted.
- Portions of the sidewalk on 26 and 27 Avenue N.W. will be closed while crews are working in the area.
- Construction materials will be staged on the baseball diamond east of the Tuxedo Park Community Association and Hall until mid-October.
Project map
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Project work
- Dry pond and storm trunk upgrades (Project 3 on above map)
- 35 Ave NE storm trunk upgrade (Project 2 on above map)
- Stormwater Diversion and local drainage improvements (Project 1 on above map)
About this project
The City's Community Drainage Improvements Program works to reduce overland flooding in areas throughout Calgary.
Drainage studies were undertaken to identify solutions for communities frequently affected by flooding due to extreme rainfall. These solutions can include adding additional storm drainage pipes, increasing the size of pipes, and adding wet or dry storm ponds to help manage stormwater.
In recent years, Tuxedo Park has experienced a high number of heavy rainfall events causing flooding. Once upgrades are complete the likelihood of a rain event overwhelming the local storm system will be greatly reduced.
To learn more about managing stormwater in Calgary, see our Homeowner Water Guide for Calgary's stormwater management system.
Other projects in the area
Dry pond and storm trunk upgrades
The dry pond for the park space at 202 29 Ave NE and upgrades to the storm trunks under Centre St N and 1 St NE will reduce flooding during extreme rain events throughout the community. Construction is expected to begin in the spring of 2021 and be substantially complete by the end of the year. Landscaping and recreation amenity installation will take place in 2022. The park space will be inaccessible to the public for the duration of construction.
Renderings of the future park space once construction and landscaping are complete.
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Before heavy rainfall
A dry pond can be located on parkland, next to roadways or on recreation or school fields. Once constructed the entire site is fully landscaped to blend into local surroundings, and can continue to be used for sport, recreation or leisure purposes.
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After heavy rainfall
A dry pond captures stormwater runoff during a rainstorm, as well as water from an underground stormwater pipe. Water collected in a dry pond can take from one to six hours to drain after a storm. This is done by gravity via drains built into the bottom of the pond.
35 Ave NE storm trunk upgrade
Upgrading the storm trunk, (the large diameter pipe running under 35 Ave NE), will increase its capacity and ability to collect stormwater, diverting it away from the community and into our rivers. Construction will begin in the late spring or early summer 2021. This project should be complete by the end of 2021.
Stormwater Diversion and local drainage improvements
This includes installation of inlet control devices, bio-retention areas, replacement or upgrade of catch basins and manholes, storm sewer diversions, and improvement of overland spill routes throughout the community. A new storm pipe will be installed under 18 Ave N, across Centre St, which will divert stormwater away from Tuxedo Park, reducing flooding and pooling in the community.
Construction timelines for these projects vary, although all should be substantially complete by the end of 2021.
Addressing groundwater flooding
The City does not undertake projects to specifically eliminate the risk of groundwater seepage due to high groundwater tables. While there may be some residual benefit from drainage improvements being made to Tuxedo Park, managing groundwater is not the primary goal of this project.
When the water table rises due to heavy rainfall, an effective way to reduce basement flood risk is taking the appropriate steps at home. This includes:
- Install a sump pump with a back-up power source.
- Install backflow preventer valves on sanitary sewer lines.
- Ensure downspouts drain onto the ground at least two metres away from your home.
- Improve your lot grading so that it slopes away from the house foundation.
- Repair cracks in the basement foundation.
- Finish basements with easily washable materials, such as concrete floors and walls.
- Install water alarms in the basement to alert you if water is backing up.
- Avoid building living spaces below grade.