Starting this September, the City will begin upgrading stormwater infrastructure in some areas in the northwest inner-city. This includes parts of Hillhurst-Sunnyside that are prone to pooling and flooding after intense rainfalls – both in normal conditions and when the river is high – and the stormwater outfall gates must be closed.
This is good news because it provides more of the flood mitigation infrastructure that our community has been advocating for since the 2013 flood.
The work starting in September will include upgrading storm drains and replacing or upsizing existing pipes that will help increase the capacity of the system in our neighbourhood. In addition, it is anticipated that construction on the long-awaited Upper Plateau Separation (UPS) project will commence. UPS is a dedicated pipe to move stormwater from the communities on top of the hill directly to the river, bypassing Sunnyside.
Construction will take place in phases over the next three years. Please see the map at http://calgary.ca/sunnysidecdi for the locations of the specific projects. It is anticipated that work on the following projects will commence this fall: (1) West Hillhurst; (5) 10th Street N.W.; (6) part of Kensington; (7) Upper Plateau Separation. The plan is for construction of the other projects shown to commence in 2022.
The City is committed to working closely with residents, business owners, the Kensington BRZ, and community groups throughout the project delivery to minimize disruptions. They will keep communities up to date with their plans and construction schedules as timelines and details evolve.
Unfortunately, a number of trees must be removed to make way for this construction, particularly for the UPS project. Through the design process the City has preserved as many trees as possible. To compensate for the tree loss, the City will be replanting a greater number of trees in the closest suitable location to help restore the urban canopy.
