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.

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.

Construction for Stage A of the new Bearspaw South Feeder Main began in January using microtunnelling. This stage of the project will run from the Shaganappi Pump Station to 73 Street N.W., on the west side of the Bow River.

This approach was chosen because the pipe alignment includes significant crossings such as 16 Avenue, the Bow River and the CPKC rail line. While some surface work will still be required, work is largely happening at targeted locations instead of along the entire corridor.

Project status as of April 20, 2026

• Construction of three launching shafts is now complete.
• Microtunneling has started between two of the completed shafts.  
• We have tunneled a total of 544m between shafts.  
• Final tunneling shaft construction will begin in May.

Stage B construction for the Bearspaw South Feeder Main replacement project will begin in May 2026 and is expected to continue through November 2026. The new replacement pipe will run from 73 Street N.W. to 89 Street N.W., where it will connect to the existing steel pipe leading to the Bearspaw Water Treatment Plant. Extending the pipe to 89 Street N.W. helps avoid future construction and reduces future community disruptions.

Work will start with tie‑in construction the week of May 11 at 77 Street N.W. and 83 Street N.W., followed by feeder main installation along 34 Avenue N.W. beginning in June.

Stage B will be installed using an open‑cut construction approach, which allows work to be completed more efficiently and shortens the overall construction timeline. Construction will be completed in sections, with crews generally working east to west along 34 Avenue N.W. Multiple crews will be active at the same time, and each work area is expected to take approximately 10 to 12 weeks to complete. 

• Construction will have impacts on some trees and shrubs in and near the public right-of-way.  
• In advance of construction our team has taken inventory, surveyed and completed health assessments of each tree on the public right-of-way and those that are overhanging or are near the public right-of-way.   
• Trees identified as being in poor condition or those that will be negatively impacted by construction will need to be trimmed or removed.   
• If a tree on your property or near your property, will be impacted, a member of our team will contact you directly.   
• If a tree on your property is removed and it is not a City tree, you may be entitled to compensation. A member of our team will contact you directly to discuss this process.   
• Tree trimming and removal will be done on an as needed basis by qualified arborists or tree removal companies. We will do this as construction advances from one work area to the next. This approach ensures that we do not unnecessarily impact any trees or shrubs.  
• All landscaping restorations will have a two-year (growing seasons) warranty.

Construction timing and sequencing are subject to change due to site conditions and other factors, and updates will be shared as work progresses.

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

Over the coming weeks and months, we are committed to continuing to work closely with the community to provide information and details of construction activities, address unique needs of individual residents and support mitigation efforts where practical.