$73M Calgary flood protection project wraps up after almost 10 years
A $73-million flood protection project in Calgary has wrapped up after almost a decade of planning and construction, with the Sunnyside Flood Barrier now officially operational.
The 2.4-kilometre barrier is designed to protect the communities of Sunnyside and Hillhurst from a one-in-100-year flood event, while also bringing new public spaces, pathways, and landscaping along the Bow River.
“The completion of the Sunnyside Flood Barrier is a major achievement for Calgary and a significant step forward in our efforts to build a more flood-resilient city,” said Mayor Jeromy Farkas in a release.
The City of Calgary
The project has been in the works since 2017, with the total $73-million investment covering everything from initial planning through to completion.
The barrier uses a combination of permanent flood walls, sheet pile walls, demountable flood walls, and deployable flood protection systems to reduce flood risk while maintaining access to the river.
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Beyond flood protection, the project includes several new public spaces and landscaping improvements, including nine new seating areas, two food truck pads, improved pathways along the river, and about 200 new trees.
The project also brought improvements to four other public spaces, including the Calgary Soldiers’ Memorial, Peace Bridge North Shore, 7th Street NW lookout, and Prince’s Island Pedestrian Bridge and Bow River access.
Since the 2013 flood, Calgary has invested more than $1.3 billion into flood mitigation and resilience projects across the city. The City says this work has reduced Calgary’s flood risk by approximately 70 per cent and cut flood damages by an estimated $118 million each year.
The City of Calgary
“Building a flood barrier Calgarians can rely on means preparing in advance for extreme events and reducing their impacts when they occur. The Sunnyside Flood Barrier is an important example of how long-term planning and investment help protect people, homes and businesses from river flooding,” said Michael Thompson, the chief operating officer of the water utility.
While the Sunnyside Flood Barrier is now operational, the city says landscaping and pathway work is still taking place; however, it is set to be done by the end of October.
You can learn more about the project online.