More than $107.5 million has been announced by government officials to complete eight water infrastructure projects in northern and southern Alberta as approved through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP).
These projects will upgrade or build new water/wastewater treatment systems, stormwater management systems and flood barriers.
In Calgary, the downtown flood barrier project will create a new barrier along the south bank of the Bow River to improve flood control. This barrier will be connected to the West Eau Claire and Centre Street Bridge lower deck flood barriers to form a continuous barrier along the Bow River. A second project in Calgary will add a stormwater trunk in the upper plateau to direct stormwater runoff directly into the Bow River and reduce the risk and magnitude of stormwater flooding.
“The funding announced is a major step to fully protecting downtown Calgary businesses and residences from another devastating flood,” said Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi. “Completing the downtown flood barrier will create 100 needed jobs, but it will also create peace of mind for so many Calgarians who worry every spring about what could happen. The resilience we’re building together in projects like these will protect our economy, our people, and our way of life.”
Projects also include two new drinking water wells for the Siksika Nation. The wells will help provide a stable source of feed water for the Arthur A. Youngman treatment facility that will meet growing community needs and reduce environmental impacts.
“Investing in essential services like drinking water treatment and flood barriers is key to building resilient communities. The downtown flood barrier project in Calgary and the drinking water wells in Siksika Nation are just two of eight new Alberta projects that will help keep communities safe and healthy while protecting essential public infrastructure. Canada’s infrastructure plan invests in thousands of projects, creates jobs across the country, and builds stronger communities,” said Catherine McKenna, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities.
