| CLIENT | The City of Calgary |
| LOCATION | Calgary, AB |
| PROJECT RELEVANCE | Slope Stabilization Specialized Equipment Spider Excavator Winter Construction |
| CONTRACT VALUE | $2,700,000 |
| SCHEDULE | Start Date: September 2025 End Date: July 2025 |
PROJECT PROFILE
The site was subjected to serious movement during a high rainfall event in August of 2021. In reviewing the risk the slide posed, the City engaged the services of Tetra Tech Canada to provide engineering guidance in the development of a long-term remedial scope. A formal Request for Proposal was released by the City in August of 2024, outlining the general design intents. KBL proceeded to partner with an established stabilization subcontractor, GSI, in support of a design-build submission for this opportunity. KBL’s comprehensive submittal was ultimately selected by the City through a competitive review process.
SCOPE OF WORK
- Stabilization of “East Upper” slope by means of soil nail installation with a drainage mat backed Shotcrete face. 70m2 in total.
- Stabilization of the “East Lower” slope through soil nails with welded wire mesh and coir erosion matting. 550m2 in total.
- Stabilization of the “South Stabilization” through fillcrete-encapsulated soil nails topped with topsoil. 20m2 in total.
- Stabilization of an “Encampment Area” utilizing compacted granular base with topsoil dressing. 10m2 in total.
- Installation of 40 meters of new Gabion/GCS wall at the toe of the slope.
- The installation of new drainage features to aid in the management of water throughout the site.
- The installation of 150 meters of new regional asphalt pathway leading up to the site.
- Implementation of a re-vegetation and habitat restoration plan aimed at restoring all disturbed areas.
PROJECT CHALLENGES
The East Upper and South Stabilization Area posed the greatest risk on the project. The near to vertical face of the east upper area coupled with the requirement to utilize private lands to access required a dynamic approach to the work. Constraints surrounding vegetation preservation, preventing incidental private lands damage, security, and stakeholder management required KBL and GSI to be adaptive to achieve the project outcomes. Additionally, winter construction conditions complicated installation efforts on the lower slope and necessitated diligent quality management on the completed works. High-angle slope works also required the use of a Spider Excavator and rope access suspended workers to complete works safely.
PROJECT SUCCESS
The dedication of the entire project team to the completion of this scope within defined milestones helped ensure the delivery of a quality end product to the City.
