The City is investing in the future by modernizing 8th Street S.W into a vibrant urban destination and community connector. The project will support the overall success of Calgary’s Greater Downtown Plan by transforming the street into a welcoming, pedestrian-focused corridor with comfortable gathering spaces, dedicated walking and wheeling paths, enhanced landscaping, and other infrastructure improvements.
Taking advantage of the warm weather we’ve been enjoying, we are getting a jump on construction so those living, working, and travelling through the 8 Street S.W. area will begin to see crews as early as this weekend. Temporary, short-term closures to the alleyway and sidewalk between 5-6 Avenue S.W., as well as southbound traffic lane closures can be expected while we complete hydrovacing work.
For more detailed information about this work, view our construction timetable.
| Location | Timeframe | Details |
| 8 to 10 Avenue S.W. - 9 Avenue S.W. underpass (view map) | Morning of Saturday, March 21 | The southbound lanes of 8 Street S.W. near the 9 Avenue S.W. underpass (8 to 10 Avenue S.W.) will be closed the morning of Saturday, March 21 to complete hydrovac work. The northbound lanes will remain open to one-way traffic at the underpass, however those travelling southbound will be detoured via 8 Avenue S.W. The street will revert to bidirectional traffic in the afternoon. |
| 4 to 6 Avenue S.W. (view map) | Week of March 23 | The work will begin just south of 4 Avenue S.W., extending to 6 Avenue S.W., and will require: Access to the alleyway will be maintained via the entrance off 5 Avenue S.W. (see map below). Storefront access will also be maintained during the sidewalk closure. Please follow all pedestrian detour signage placed on site for everyone’s safety. Bidirectional traffic on 8 Street S.W. will still be permitted during the single southbound lane closure. |
The Revitalize 8 Street S.W. project spans approximately 1.5km, from 2 Avenue S.W. (north end) to 17 Avenue S.W. (south end). 8 Street is one of the few downtown streets that provides a direct north-south connection between the Beltline and downtown Calgary. It links the 17 Avenue Main Street and adjacent communities to the Bow River along the west edge of our downtown.
We are currently funded to move forward on construction for the Downtown Segment (2 to 10 Avenue S.W.), and will be implementing interim safety improvements between 10 and 12 Avenue S.W.
Click to enlarge map
To avoid the need for additional water utility upgrades in the future, The City is proactively addressing the water infrastructure in this area and will complete this work at the same time as the 8 Street S.W. project to reduce disruptions. This will improve the reliability and resilience of our growing city’s water system, as well as reduce the risk of future service disruptions and emergency repairs. We expect to complete these system improvements between 4-6 Avenue S.W. in 2026 and 6-8 Avenue S.W. in 2027.
The projected investment for the 8 Street S.W. Revitalization project is estimated to be $30M. $20.5M was generously provided by the Government of Canada through the Canada Community-Building Fund, with the remaining funding provided through The City’s capital reserves.
The Revitalize 8 Street S.W. project will:
The project is a foundational piece in The City's Greater Downtown Plan to establish a green network of tree-lined, people-focused streets that connect residents and visitors with parks, natural spaces and the river.
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Through the process of reviewing contemporary polices and standards, engaging with the public, and technical analysis of current site conditions, the project team defined several recommendations to guide the design of 8 Street S.W. These recommendations were provided to ensure that we deliver a safe, equitable, and beautiful street.
Updated February 15, 2024.
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The design for 8 Street SW was created using ideas and feedback from Calgarians, as well as technical analysis, best practices, and policy review and informed the final concept design.
The 8 Street S.W. Master Plan was completed in 2016.
It provides a vision that addresses area needs and enhances the pedestrian experience by focusing on improving areas such as sidewalks, street crossings and urban design.
The Master Plan lays the foundation for growing 8 Street SW as a livable, vibrant and thriving community corridor.
General
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Water utility work
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Construction impacts
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Businesses
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