Thursday, January 22, 2026
The City of Calgary is implementing a revised plan to expedite construction of a replacement for the Bearspaw South Feeder Main (BSFM).
A City of Calgary news release said the urgency of the revised plan was 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 feeder main which will over time take over service from the current line.
The replacement line is anticipated to be complete by Dec. 2026, the release said.
The project contract was awarded to Ward & Burke Microtunneling Ltd. and to Graham Construction & Engineering Inc. as the construction manager for coordination of all work.
Ordering of long-lead components has begun, and crews will start to mobilize to work sites on Jan. 23 to begin site setup for Stage A of the project, located at the Shaganappi Pump Station and extending to 73 Street N.W. on the west side of the Bow River, the release said.
Microtunnelling construction will continue as planned for Stage A due to significant crossings such as 16 Avenue, the Bow River, Sarcee Trail and the CPKC rail line, it added.
Work site construction setup includes setup of temporary fencing and barriers, site offices, tree protection measures, mobilization of heavy machinery and equipment and installation of construction signage.
More information of Stage B consisting of 73 Street N.W. to 89 Street N.W., will be shared as soon as possible, the release said
“The City’s drinking water system is in a critical and vulnerable state, and urgent action is required to protect the health and safety of the region. Until the replacement pipe is operational, there remains significant risk to the community, with this single point-of-failure asset continuing to operate in poor condition,” the release said.
