Beltline Downtown Utility Relocation Program (City-owned Deep Utilities)

The Beltline Downtown Utility Relocation program involving City-owned deep utilities (sanitary, storm and water) began in March 2022 and was completed in June 2024.

This work was completed by PCL Construction Management and was all in the Victoria Park area, consisting of Olympic Way S.E., 11 Avenue S.E., 5 Street S.E., and 12 Avenue S.E. City-owned deep utilities are typically 1.5 metres and deeper below the ground, while shallow utilities, typically owned by third-party utility companies, are less than 1.5 metres deep.

Start Date: March 2022
Completion Date: June 2024

Construction partner

Prior to tunnelling and building the stations, we must remove potential utility conflicts, which involves moving the existing underground utilities to other locations. By doing this work now, it makes the tunnelling process quicker and reduces risk to the project.

Though disruptive by nature, this critical work is a significant investment in the community to accommodate future development, including the ability to add much-needed housing options in the area. The Culture + Entertainment District, part of the City’s Rivers District Master Plan, has many exciting developments recently completed, in progress and on the horizon, including the BMO Centre Expansion, the 17 Avenue Extension and Stampede Crossing, the Sam Centre, the Event Centre, the 6 Street S.E. Underpass, and more.

There was a lot of coordination required for this work because of the multiple construction projects in the area and other utility companies completing work nearby. In addition, some of Calgary’s largest events take place in Victoria Park, including the Stampede in July and Flames games from September to April, so it was critical to work with these partners to ensure minimal disruption during events.

Underneath the streets of downtown Calgary are all kinds of utility lines, such as water, natural gas, and electricity. Before we can build the Green Line tunnel under the Beltline and Downtown, we need to relocate existing underground utilities.

This is a significant investment in infrastructure renewal. New relocated utilities will be built to accommodate increases in population expected in this area in the future. Upgrades in infrastructure will include:

• 1,280 metres of new watermains in Beltline East
• 1,000 metres of new sanitary pipe in Beltline East
• 855 metres of new road
• 670 metres of sidewalk improvements
• 515 metres of new pathway

• To make way for the Green Line station and tunnel under 11 Avenue S.E., we relocated existing utility infrastructure (storm and sanitary trunk and water feeder main) from 11 Avenue S.E. and 6 Street S.E. into Olympic Way and 12 Avenue S.E.
• New utility infrastructure is an important investment in the Culture + Entertainment District, which is under development to become a hub for arts, sports and culture, with new residential, office and commercial development. 

Other construction work in this area:

• The Culture + Entertainment District is under construction, with more than $600M in city-building projects led by CMLC underway in the area, including the BMO Centre expansion, the 17 Avenue S.E. Extension and Station Rebuild Project, Stampede Trail Redevelopment, and more to begin this year. Calgary Stampede’s construction of the Sam Centre is also underway within the area.
• View the Culture + Entertainment District access map to see road closures and other construction impacts in the area.