Calgary Completes Stage A Microtunneling on Bearspaw Feeder Main
The City of Calgary has wrapped up Stage A microtunneling on the Bearspaw South Feeder Main Replacement Project, Trenchless Technology reports. The city made the announcement Aug. 26, confirming the project remains on schedule.
Stage A construction, which began in January, has completed roughly 3.7 km of microtunneling and full installation of the concrete carrier pipe between the Shaganappi Pump Station and 73 Street N.W. More than 2 km of the new steel feeder main is now installed inside that carrier pipe. Darren Finney, manager of major projects, called the milestone “a significant step forward for the project,” noting the tunneling work went beneath major infrastructure while minimizing community impact.
Stage B, an open-cut section that started in June, is also on schedule, with more than 1 km of steel feeder main in the ground, putting that phase at 40% complete. The city plans to shut down the Bearspaw South Feeder Main in mid-October to connect the new main to the existing system, with pipe tie-in connections at various locations starting mid-October and commissioning targeted for mid-November. Separately, the city will use the shutdown window to make six proactive repairs on the aging 1,500 mm section of the feeder main along Parkdale Boulevard and Memorial Drive N.W.
What It Means for Subcontractors
- Open-cut crews should expect concentrated tie-in and repair work in mid-October, including six 24/7 excavation and steel pipe replacement sites along Parkdale Boulevard and Memorial Drive N.W.
- Contractors tracking Stage B should note it’s 40% complete as of the report, with steady open-cut pipe installation continuing on schedule since June.
- Pump station and treatment plant electrical/mechanical trades should watch for connection work at Shaganappi Pump Station starting in September and related Bearspaw Water Treatment Plant shutdown activity tied to the separate North Calgary Water Servicing project in mid-September.
