[lemongrab]

Years of it by my memory.

Looks like it dates back all the way to 2019 https://engage.calgary.ca/stephenavenue

But it seems like maybe Phase 3 may not have really happened as usual? I feel like we would have discussed it a lot more on here if it was

 

[potatopizzafan]

Dumpy apartments next to the ship

 

[whatchyyc]

Looks like it dates back all the way to 2019 https://engage.calgary.ca/stephenavenue

But it seems like maybe Phase 3 may not have really happened as usual? I feel like we would have discussed it a lot more on here if it was

View attachment 665635

I find with city streetscape projects that usually after the concept design has been finalized with engagement, the detailed construction design is created internally then built without being shared

 

[Surrealplaces]

Dumpy apartments next to the ship
View attachment 665682

They better not tear those down and leave it an empty lot.

 

[cameronhowe]

They do want 24/7:

Holy moly, my bad, I totally read that wrong. I blame Friday brain and stampede chaos.

 

[trtcttc]

I find with city streetscape projects that usually after the concept design has been finalized with engagement, the detailed construction design is created internally then built without being shared

For design elements yes, because I think those sometimes change with procurement timing and cost. They can't depict a specific lamp post style because maybe they go with a different vendor. However, the exact street layout is usually shared in advance down to exact measurements of width and where ramps are, etc.

I think the subway is on the 30 year+ plan, so perhaps they do what they can now but acknowledge that it's probably the next lifecycle of Stephen Ave that will warrant more serious consideration of a subway. I wish it was sooner - I want the LRT to convert more and more to a grade-separated light-metro style system, rather than the way it's going with more at-grade crossings added slowing things down. Calgary at 2.5 million is going to need the Red Line to do a lot more than it currently can (as impressive as the capacity is at-grade today).

Back to Stephen Ave upgrades - I think what's often forgotten here is the project is really is mostly utility work in cost and time. It's truly an iceberg where 90% is below the surface - all the cost, delays and risks are beneath the ground. It all compounds, because not only do you have to dig deep, you have to keep access open and keep everything safe - safety fencing, supports, openings, closures. Digging underground will inevitably hit something unforeseen, delaying things further. It's so much harder than just the surface treatment.

If they didn't need to upgrade any pipes, they could probably complete just the surface job in a month or two. That's just scraping off the top layer and putting in some new pavers and light poles. You'd hardly need any fencing or closures beyond some temporary stuff for accessibility - there's no big excavations to fall in.

I don't imagine they're redoing utilities in 30 years, most of these are almost a century old, and I'd assume materials have gotten better that they're designed for 100 years now (which means it'll be replaced at 130 years). But I agree utility work is most of it. They're redoing the 19th street NW with a pretty significant change (adding bike lanes, expanding side walks, expanding overall street width) and it's planned for 2 summers. But each street in Marda Loop is taking way longer because they're redoing drainage, utilities, etc.

 

[CalgaryTiger]

I do love the, "what about the strain on utilities?" When it comes to redeveloping areas juxtaposed against the, "what about businesses?"

Again, we're not the only city in the world, do we ever ask other city's what they're doing when it comes to utility and streetscape upgrades on main streets?

 

[trtcttc]

I do love the, "what about the strain on utilities?" When it comes to redeveloping areas juxtaposed against the, "what about businesses?"

Again, we're not the only city in the world, do we ever ask other city's what they're doing when it comes to utility and streetscape upgrades on main streets?

The same thing we're doing. City says it's necessary, businesses complain. City delays the timeline, makes the project more complicated, and businesses complain it's "always under construction!". And once something happens (pipe burst), residents stand up and say why didn't the city replace the pipe sooner! And round and round we go.

 

[Roaring Flames]

Sewers and water mains under Stephen Ave are from the late 70s (1977) at oldest with some as new as the 00s. The storm system is from the mid 50s (1956)

 

[CalgaryTiger]

Sewers and water mains under Stephen Ave are from the late 70s (1977) at oldest with some as new as the 00s. The storm system is from the mid 50s (1956)

Then what's with all the talk of hundred year-old infrastructure?

 

[darwink]

Then what's with all the talk of hundred year-old infrastructure?

some old pipes.

 

[Roaring Flames]

Newer sewer pipes are between 2nd Street SW and 6th Street sw.

 

[Mountain Man]

The City should be looking at fixing this infrastructure to align with the future LRT tunnel. I bet they are just replacing the pipes in their current location and will have to come back in the future and move them when we decide to build the subway.

 

[Golfing guy]

The City should be looking at fixing this infrastructure to align with the future LRT tunnel. I bet they are just replacing the pipes in their current location and will have to come back in the future and move them when we decide to build the subway.

You really think that will get built? The wish list of the city expanding and building new lines will cost billions of dollars. I’d bet low on that most is the billions to build 8ave subway. Especially after the UCP nixed the underground portion of the greenline through downtown.

 

[Mountain Man]

Eventually it will. The issue with the green line tunnel was going under the river provided for some really unstable geology. Going under stephen Ave would be much easier and we already have 300m of tunnel there to connect to.