Improved Sidewalk Design Specifications

BILD Calgary Region Bulletin 2022 – 82

The current City Specifications require a sidewalk structure of 100 mm concrete over compacted subgrade.

As a follow-up to the recommendations of City Council Notice of Motion for Concrete Quality in the Public Realm (TT2017-0345) and during engagement with Building Industry and Land Development – Calgary Region (BILD), a stakeholder group of BILD and City representatives was established. The focus of the stakeholder engagement was to conduct a pilot study to evaluate the efficiencies and cost impacts of various concrete sidewalks structures to improve durability and implement best construction practices for concrete construction. To monitor the construction of pilot projects and evaluate the performance measurement of various trial structures, the City retained a consultant to complete a performance evaluation after a five-year monitoring period.

Pursuant to the pilot study findings and the stakeholder group engagement between BILD and City representatives, and per agreement with the City’s Director of Mobility and the CEO of BILD, 125 mm concrete with no gravel base or fibre reinforcement (Section E) will be accepted as an initial first step to improve the City’s concrete assets. The City recommends the use of low carbon concrete in all applications. Furthermore, the City also recommends that the development industry monitor the improved concrete specifications and evaluate any viable additions to improve the overall durability of sidewalks in the future.

The new structure per Section E, will be effective starting January 1, 2023, and will supersede the current Standard Specifications for Road Construction (2021) concrete sidewalk structure and other related sections of the sidewalk specifications.

For more information, the City of Calgary Bulletin can be accessed HERE