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Calgary completes community drainage project
Gladstone Connect Community Drainage Improvement Project will enhance stormwater management, reduce flood risk and strengthen neighbourhood resilience.
The City of Calgary has completed a community drainage infrastructure project to enhance stormwater management, reduce flood risk and strengthen neighbourhood resilience in Hillhurst/Kensington and Sunnyside.
The Gladstone Connect Community Drainage Improvement (CDI) Project is part of the City’s broader initiative to modernise inner-city stormwater infrastructure.
Upgrading water infrastructure
There are also additional improvements underway through the Northwest Inner-City Community Drainage Improvements programme. The City is investing in upgrades to water infrastructure in the inner-city northwest communities to enhance the safety of residents and protect vulnerable areas from the damages caused by stormwater flooding.
Much of the stormwater infrastructure in the area was built to the standard of the time but is now outdated and was upgraded to significantly increase the capacity in these neighbourhoods and reduce flooding caused by intense rainfall.
“Gladstone Connect isn’t just about pipes and valves – it’s about safeguarding the communities from future stormwater flooding”
The Gladstone Connect project involved connecting the upgraded drainage network in the Hillhurst/Kensington community to the existing 7 Street Trunk in Sunnyside. The new design includes advanced flow-control points that manage stormwater during both high and low river levels.
These enhancements bolster local drainage capacity, significantly reducing the risk of surface flooding, protecting homes, garages and commercial spaces. Construction of the project is now complete, and landscaping is underway along with storm duct cleaning along 7 Street NW.
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“Gladstone Connect isn’t just about pipes and valves – it’s about safeguarding the communities from future stormwater flooding,” says Darren Finney, leader wastewater and stormwater, City of Calgary. “By integrating new flow-control gates and linking upstream drainage to the Sunnyside trunk, we’ve made Hillhurst/Kensington and Sunnyside more flood-resilient today and for future generations.”
During construction, residents and businesses were kept informed of impacts including water service adjustments, detours and utility disruptions. Temporary water service setups and clear signage ensured minimal inconvenience while prioritising safety.
The City explained that while upgrading the storm service, it took the opportunity to upgrade the existing watermain for improved fire flow protection. As well, it replaced the aging sanitary service line to better serve the community.
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How does the Gladstone Connect project improve stormwater management capacity?What technologies are used in the new flow-control points for drainage?How does upgrading watermain infrastructure enhance fire flow protection?In what ways does the project increase flood resilience in Hillhurst/Kensington?How were residents informed and protected during the construction process?Latest City Profile
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