On top of water restrictions, Calgarians are being advised that there will be traffic slowdowns along 16 Avenue NW as Bearspaw South feeder main repairs begin next week.

The City of Calgary provided a final update on March 5, four days before the March 9 water restrictions, which were prompted by the repair of nine segments of the existing Bearspaw South feeder main.

The pipe will be shut down for up to four weeks to allow for the concrete reinforcement of the most deteriorated segments on that line, limiting the safe daily water use limit to 500 million litres per day.

Infrastructure Services GM Michael Thompson said that due to work along 16 Avenue near the Sarcee Trail interchange, there will be traffic disruptions. Work crews will be mobilizing over the weekend to begin construction on Monday.

“Full lane closures will be put in place on the exit ramp from 16 Avenue northwest and on the exit ramp onto Sarcee Trail and on the exit ramp off Sarcee Trail onto westbound 16 Avenue northwest,” Thompson said.

“16 Avenue northwest will remain open, but you can expect slowdowns due to the lane restrictions.”

Meanwhile, Thompson reiterated the message from earlier in the week about citizens making preparations for the upcoming water restrictions. Outdoor water restrictions will be in place, and the City of Calgary is asking citizens in Calgary, Strathmore, Airdrie, Chestermere and on the Tsuut’ina Nation to take voluntary steps to conserve water.

Along with the three-minute showers, fewer toilet flushes, and full loads in the washer and dishwasher, Thompson suggested other tips to aid in reducing water.

“Do your heavy cleaning. Put up reminder notes in your kitchen, bathroom, and laundry room, and talk to your family, friends, and co-workers to spread the word and talk about your plans to be a water hero,” he said.

Pressure on the province

Mayor Jeromy Farkas, on the heels of a series of media conferences around the provincial education portion of the property tax, took the opportunity to remind the province that as Calgary goes, so goes the success of Alberta.

He connected it to the upcoming work on the Bearspaw South feeder main and the replacement pipe that is already under construction. Earlier this week, the city’s Executive Committee recommended the approval of $609.5 million in additional funding needed to expedite the construction and repair work needed for water infrastructure.

“We are solving a problem that never should have happened, but as we solve it, we’re doing so with our eyes firmly on the future, a future where Calgary continues to grow, continues to prosper, and continues to generate the economic opportunity that so many people across this country depend on,” he said.

“That is what Calgary does. I believe that this is a moment for our partners in other orders of government to see this project for what it is. This is an investment in a growing city, a vote of confidence in a city that is helping lead this country and province in growth, opportunity and hope so as our partners in the provincial government consider ways they can support Calgary and our region and southern Alberta.”

Earlier in the week, Farkas lamented the fact that despite conversations with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and other provincial ministers, there was no money made available in the recent Alberta government to help with the Bearspaw South feeder main or other water infrastructure projects.

Mayor Farkas commended Premier Smith for being engaged within minutes of the December 30, 2025 Bearspaw South feeder main rupture. Now he wants to see follow-through.

“We were engaged with many different ministers and different portfolios about ways that they could support Calgary through this. It’s very much about taking them for their word,” he said.

“During the most recent break, they expressed a desire and a willingness to help Calgary through the situation so that we can continue to provide water for our population as well as our nearby neighbours. We take them at their word that they want to help, and this is the way that they can help.”

The upcoming repair work on the Bearspaw South feeder main is expected to take four weeks. The replacement line tentative completion is December 2026.