99 Avenue Sanitary Trunk Bypass

Edmonton, AB

Built in 1975, Edmonton’s 99 Avenue sanitary trunk lies 30 metres below ground, is tall enough to walk through, and serves over 117,000 customers. To allow rehabilitation and increase capacity, the Project Owner EPCOR, SMA Consulting Ltd . and the rest of the project team, constructed a new 1.6 kilometre bypass sewer. Innovative microtunnelling techniques minimized surface impact, while Edmonton’s first use of specialized pre-lined concrete pipe successfully withstood large boulders and jacking forces of up to 1,000 tonnes. The final connection to the trunk was made under live flow conditions in the middle of the night. The rehabilitation of the original trunk has now been completed.

The jury recognized this complex project for doubling sanitary capacity and minimizing service disruption in a high-demand area. Converting a temporary bypass into a permanent solution showed foresight by the project team. Their innovative use of materials, stakeholder engagement, and resolution of technical challenges demonstrated excellence. This project delivers lasting infrastructure improvements and meaningful community impact.