The City is implementing a revised plan that urgently expedites construction of a replacement for the Bearspaw South Feeder Main (BSFM) due to the critical condition of the current pipe and its importance in Calgary’s drinking water system.

The project will add a parallel steel pipe of the same size as the existing BSFM. Over time, this new pipe will take over service from the current line. The replacement pipe is now anticipated to be completed in December 2026.

This work is an important investment in water infrastructure to support system reliability and reduce the risk of feeder main issues or failures.

Correction: A corrected map has been posted with the construction notice below.

• Bearspaw South Feeder Main: January 2026 construction notice
• Bearspaw South Feeder Main: January 2026 geotechnical notice

The project will happen in two stages:

• Stage A: From the Shaganappi Pump Station to 73 Street NW on the west side of the Bow River.
• Stage B: Continues from 73 Street NW to 89 Street NW, with a potential extension to the Bearspaw Water Treatment Plant.

Stage A construction

The City will be proceeding with microtunnelling on Stage A for the feeder main replacement. With The City exploring all options to deliver this project faster than originally planned, we mobilized to sites on January 23, 2026.

Microtunnelling is planned for Stage A due to the existing pipe alignment having significant crossings such as 16 Avenue, the Bow River, Sarcee Trail and the CPKC rail line. While some surface work will be required, work can happen at targeted locations instead of along the entire corridor. Microtunnelling is the best practical option for this stretch as the buried infrastructure we need to reach can be best accessed in this targeted manner instead of needing open trenches along the corridor.

Construction of Stage B of the new steel BSFM pipe is expected to begin in May 2026 and will take approximately five months, estimated to be completed by October 2026.

Stage B will span 34 Avenue NW, from 73 Street NW to 89 Street NW, and will be constructed using an open-cut method. This approach allows the work to be completed more efficiently and significantly reduces the overall construction schedule. 

Stage B open-cut construction involves:

• Crews excavating a trench along the road right-of-way  
• Installing the new pipe directly in the open trench 
• Backfilling the trench and restoring the surface once work is complete 

Open-cut construction will be sequenced in large sections along the alignment, with one or two sections completed at a time. As each section is finished, the roadway will be reopened, and crews will move to the next area. This approach helps reduce the duration of localized impacts. More details on construction sequencing and section locations will be shared as it becomes available. 

Open-cut construction impacts for residents in the area include traffic disruptions, noise, street parking impacts, dust and changes to local access.  

We recognize the impact of the 2024 and 2025 feeder main breaks to businesses and communities and the importance of timely, considerate communications to interested parties so you know what's happening. 

Over the coming weeks and months, we are committed to working closely with the community to provide greater detail of construction activities, address unique needs of individual residents and support mitigation efforts where practical. Information sessions will take place virtually and in person starting the end of February and more information will be shared about events as it comes available. 

We are sharing information as soon as it becomes available and we are committed to keeping you informed.