Plus 15 Accessibility Improvement Project

Project update – June 5, 2023

The majority of construction is now complete, with minor construction activities wrapping up.

The Plus 15 bridge from Fifth Avenue Place to Bow Valley Square is now open.

We thank all Plus 15 users and tenants for their patience as we complete these important improvements to make our Plus 15 network more accessible for all Calgarians.

Project overview

Following the completion of the 2019 Plus 15 Network study, recommendations were made to improve accessibility in Calgary’s Plus 15 Network. The goal of this project is to improve the Plus 15 network experience for all Calgarians. Upgrades to 26 Plus 15 bridge structures took place from Summer 2022 to Winter 2023.

Many of these Plus 15 bridges were built in the 1970s and 1980s and required improvements to bring them up to modern-day accessibility standards. The major accessibility upgrades included:

Replacing flooring with stable hard surface, color-contrasting flooring, and tactile indicators;
Incorporation of continuous graspable handrails;
Installation of automated doors;
Removal of barriers such as stairs; and
Construction or modification of several ramps.

Plus 15 bridge with new ramps, colour contrasting flooring, continuous graspable handrails and tactile indicators.

Plus 15 bridge with continuous graspable handrails and tactile indicators.

Plus 15 corridor with new colour contrasting flooring, tactile indicators, and handrail modifications.

Plus 15 bridge with continuous graspable handrails and tactile indicators.

Plus 15 Accessibility upgrade locations

City Hall to Calgary Police Services (CPS)
Bankers Hall to Gulf Square
817 7 Avenue S.W. to 801 7 Avenue S.W.
AMEC Place to Nexen to Life Plaza
801 7 Avenue to Petro Fina
Shell Centre to Westin Hotel
Fifth Avenue Place to Bow Valley Square
Centennial Parkade
First Canadian Centre to CORE
Fifth & Fifth to Five Ten Fifth
Petro Fina to Western Canadian Place
Metropolitan Conference Centre to 333 5 Avenue S.W.
Municipal Building to Arts Commons
HSBC to Bankers Hall
James Short Parkade to Sunlife Plaza
Watermark Tower to Eight Avenue Place
Encore Place to 707 7 Avenue S.W.
Calgary Courts Centre to Encore Place
Fifth Avenue Place to International Hotel
James Short to Trans Canada Tower link
Bow Valley North to South
Western Canadian
City Centre Parkade

Budget

The budget for this project was $3.75 million.

Where can I find more information about The City’s Plus 15 Network?

Calgary's Plus 15 network is an important piece of infrastructure in our downtown core. Calgary has 86 Plus 15 bridges spread throughout the core, with most connecting two or more buildings. For more information visit Calgary.ca/Plus15

Timelines

Contract Awarded: June 2022
Construction: June 2022 – Early 2023