7 Street NW and Altawana Drive Deep Utility Replacement
This project has been completed, and the roadway re-opened to motorists on Tuesday, November 12, 2024.
The City of Medicine Hat would like to thank residents, business owners and motorists for their patience and understanding during this project. This infrastructure replacement ensures reliable water delivery and sanitary sewer service for years to come.
Phase | Description | Status |
---|---|---|
Phase 1 | Intersection of 7 Street NW and Altawana Drive, closure of Altawana Drive hill | Completed |
Phase 2 | 7 Street NW from Altawana Drive to Tweed Avenue NW | Completed |
Phase 3 | 7 Street NW from Tweed Avenue NW to McCutcheon Drive NW | Completed |
Benefits
This $4 million project renewed the infrastructure along 7 Street NW. Aging cast iron water mains and clay sanitary mains at the top of Altawana Drive NE were replaced with new PVC pipe.
Along with replacing aging pipe, crews also realigned a section of sanitary sewer pipe from under the lane to under the roadway (7 Street NW). This reduced disruption and allowed more efficient and cost-effective repairs when required in the future.
The project also included the trenchless installation of a steel casing for the water line underneath the existing stone retaining wall along Altawana Drive.
Excavation was approximately seven meters deep in places to access utility lines, but crews also employed trenchless technology designed to reduce installation cost and the impact to the neighbourhood.
Strategic collaboration
Two other City departments coordinated efforts to take advantage of synergies presented during the deep utility replacement.
- Road overlay: With traffic on Altawana Drive NE redirected at the bottom of the hill to avoid the work area at the top in Phase 1, crews milled and repaved the hill while the road was closed, reducing the need for further disruption in the future.
- Low pressure gas line renewal: While the road was excavated, gas distribution crews replaced the low pressure gas line on 7 Street NW.