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78 Avenue Project

May 1, 2024

Station: Ogden

Status: Current

Type: Stations

A bridge structure and vehicle tunnel was built to extend 78 Avenue S.E. east, under the CPKC rail tracks.

The 78 Avenue project in Ogden is a large-scale early works project that began in July 2023 and is expected to be complete in summer 2025.

The overall scope of work includes constructing a pedestrian tunnel at 72 Avenue S.E. and a vehicle underpass at 78 Avenue S.E., as well as upgrading a portion of 78 Avenue from Ogden Road east to the Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) rail line embankment. On the east side of that embankment is an industrial area, with a portion closest to the embankment set to become a new roundabout. This roundabout will connect to the new 78 Avenue S.E. underpass and will be the new entrance into the industrial area, which includes several facilities and the CPKC main campus. Calgary-based company, Graham Construction, was selected to build this project.

As an early works project, this work enhances transportation safety in the vicinity and manages project timelines and risks for future Green Line construction, allowing it to be completed more efficiently.

The Green Line alignment will run parallel and west of the current CPKC rail line in Ogden, with its own bridge (being built in 2025) to cross 78 Avenue S.E. The Ogden Station will be located near 72 Avenue S.E.

Map of 78 Avenue Project construction in relation to Ogden Station.

Start Date: July 2023
Completion Date: Summer 2025

Construction partner

Graham logo

Design partner

Hatch logo

Construction details

Diversion embankments for CPKC tracks

  • Two new embankments were built on the west side of the existing Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) tracks. One embankment was built at 72 Avenue S.E. and a second embankment was built at 78 Avenue S.E. The embankments are to temporarily move CPKC rail tracks during construction of the tunnels.
  • A retaining wall was built along a portion of the alleyway near 76 Avenue and 27 Street S.E. to maintain alleyway access and City services.

Secant pile walls

  • Secant pile walls were installed into the embankments (at 78 Avenue and 72 Avenue S.E.).
  • A secant pile wall is comprised of intersecting and reinforced concrete columns (piles).
  • The walls greatly increase the structural integrity of the embankments and allow excavation of the tunnels to occur.
  • Tiebacks were installed horizontally along the secant pile walls to reinforce them before excavation to build the tunnels.
  • The CPKC tracks have been moved from the temporary diversion tracks back to their original position.

78 Avenue area

  • A bridge structure and vehicle tunnel have been constructed to extend 78 Avenue S.E. east, under the CPKC rail tracks.
Rendering of 78 Avenue Tunnel with multi-use pathway, vehicle lanes and sidewalk and the CPKC rail above
78 Avenue tunnel

East side of CPKC rail tracks

  • 78 Avenue S.E. connects to a roundabout built on the east side of the tunnel. This roundabout allows trucks travelling on Ogden Dale Road S.E. to remain on designated truck routes without entering the community. 
Rendering from above of 78 Avenue tunnel with CPKC Rail tracks and Ogden Dale Road S.E roundabout.
78 Avenue tunnel

West side of CPKC rail tracks

  • 78 Avenue S.E., between Ogden Road S.E. and the future roundabout east of the tunnel, is upgraded to include a multi-use pathway and two-way vehicle movement, with a third left-turn lane as the roadway approaches Ogden Road.
  • Other work included installation and upgrades of stormwater infrastructure and other utility installations, including a manhole at Ogden Road and 78 Avenue S.E., and landscaping and sidewalk improvements.
  • Once the tunnel is open, 78 Avenue S.E. will become an access road between Ogden and the industrial area east of the CPKC rail tracks.
  • 78 Avenue S.E. will not be designated as a truck route.

72 Avenue area

  • A pedestrian tunnel near 72 Avenue S.E. has been built to connect the future Ogden Station to Ogden Dale Road S.E.
  • This tunnel will remain closed until the Ogden station opens.
  • The tunnel is currently fenced for safety considerations. 

69 Avenue

  • Once construction at 78 Avenue S.E. is complete and open to traffic, 69 Avenue S.E. at the CPKC tracks will be closed permanently.
  • 78 Avenue S.E. will become the new connection between Ogden Road and Ogden Dale Road S.E.

What to expect

The 78 Avenue Project is a significant undertaking and will have multiple impacts in the community:

  • Construction materials will be stockpiled in select areas within the community.
  • Due to winter weather conditions, irregular work hours may be required. When possible, advance notification will be provided.
  • There will be an increase in heavy trucks in the community travelling to and from the construction site.
  • Construction can be noisy, and vibrations may be felt by those nearby during work hours.
  • While mitigations will be in place, there may be dust, soil, and debris in the area.

View the presentation boards from the April 2024 public information session to see how Green Line is managing the impacts of construction in the community. Visit the Construction Impacts & Notices page for up-to-date construction notices.

Map of construction for 78 Avenue Project.

78 Avenue construction photos

Overhead view of east side of the vehicle underpass.
A new roundabout was built on the east side of the vehicle underpass.
Overhead view of 78 Avenue overpass being built next to the rail line.
Building the 78 Avenue bridge structure next to an active rail line.
Overhead view of the pedestrian tunnel at 72 Avenue S.E.
East side of the pedestrian tunnel at 72 Avenue S.E.
Overhead view of pedestrian tunnel at 72 Avenue S.E.
West side of the pedestrian tunnel at 72 Avenue S.E.
Construction workers installing tiebacks with a heavy machine operating in the background.
Tiebacks (horizontal steel beams) being installed to support the secant wall. This wall supports the diversion track for CPKC’s trains, allowing a roadway to be built underneath.
A piling rig uses an auger to dig deep into the ground.
Piling in action in Ogden in June 2024. The piling rig uses an auger to dig deep into the ground (around 20 metres). These piles then form the foundation structure for the tunnel that will be built at 78 Avenue S.E. on the east side of the Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) rail tracks.
A loader is used in conjunction with the piling rig to remove the dirt that the rig brings up from deep in the ground.
A loader is used in conjunction with the piling rig to remove the dirt that the rig brings up from deep in the ground.
Distance shot of large rebar cage being prepared to be lifted into the piling hole by heavy machinery.
A large rebar cage is fabricated on site and then lifted into the piling hole to add structural support to the concrete that gets poured in afterwards.
The rebar cage is placed down into the hole.
It takes a lot of coordination to safely get the rebar cage placed correctly so it can go down into the hole.
East side of the CPKC rail line embankment at 78 Avenue S.E. where excavation was in progress to prepare for the construction of the new tunnel.
East side of the CPKC rail line embankment at 78 Avenue S.E. in April 2024, where excavation was in progress to prepare for the construction of the new tunnel.
View of the 78 Avenue S.E. project site with dirt piles to build up temporary diversion embankments for the rail tracks.
The 78 Avenue S.E. project site in 2023. Over 90,000 cubic metres of dirt was trucked in to build up temporary diversion embankments for the rail tracks so construction of the vehicle tunnel at 78 Avenue and the pedestrian tunnel at 72 Avenue could take place.

Safety considerations

Safety is our top priority. Green Line is working closely with the community in Ogden to ensure a safe construction site for the residents and construction workers. In response to previous community engagement, the following will be put in place:

  • Work will abide by the City of Calgary’s Community Standards Bylaw.
  • Construction sites will be fenced.
  • The playground at 78 Avenue and 26a Street S.E. is fenced along 78 Avenue S.E.
  • Pedestrian detours to be in effect where required.
  • Parking removed from streets identified as access routes for site.
  • Reduced speed on all roadways used to access construction sites.
  • When required, flaggers will be present near construction sites.
  • Truck driver safety orientation.

Further safety precautions will be introduced as required. View the presentation boards from the April 2024 public information session to see the complete list of safety precautions in place.

Supporting businesses in the area

While Green Line is working in Ogden, we encourage our staff and partners to support local businesses and organizations in the community. We made this local business guide for our staff, but we also wanted to share it with the public. We hope you will enjoy checking out and supporting these local businesses and organizations, too.

Presentation materials

Public information session

Green Line hosted a public information session in April 2024 and two public information sessions in June 2023 to inform residents about the project. Download the presentation materials here:

April 2024

June 2023

Presentation materials from the Millican Ogden Community Association General Meeting (November 2023)

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