Building Beneath the Surface: Calgary’s Nose Creek Sewer Upgrade Wins Major Awards

As northern Calgary continues to grow, expanding sanitary capacity and supporting future development became critical. The City of Calgary engaged Jacobs as design engineer to deliver its Nose Creek Sanitary Sewer Trunk upgrade project, which involved twinning the city’s existing sanitary trunk line, increasing its ability to carry wastewater and helping prepare the region for decades of future growth.

Because the new pipeline runs beneath parks, creek crossings and rail lines, construction required careful planning and precision. The team, which also included Ward and Burke Microtunnelling Ltd., used trenchless tunneling — a method that allows crews to install new pipes deep underground without digging long open trenches. This approach minimized disruption to surrounding neighborhoods, protected green spaces and reduced the project’s environmental footprint.

Digging deeper with innovation and precision

Some sections of the work passed through challenging ground conditions, including rock and soft soil, and involved tunneling beneath Nose Creek Valley and major transportation corridors. To manage these complexities, the project team designed customized tunneling solutions and worked closely with the city and environmental agencies to maintain safety and compliance throughout construction The team used computational fluid dynamics and hydrogen sulfide modeling to ensure safe access and maintenance for City staff. This modeling was a key factor in delivering the design of 1.4 miles (2.3 kilometers) of reinforced concrete sewer pipe with high-density polyethylene lining, including two major tunneled sections: An ~850 foot (260 meter) siphon crossing under Nose Creek and Canadian Pacific Railway rail tracks and ~5,000 foot (1,500 meter) tunneled section along Nose Creek valley.

Throughout the project, the team overcame a variety of technical challenges, from shallow bedrock and mixed-face tunneling conditions to implementing hydraulic balancing and flow control gates aimed at optimizing system performance.

Beyond the underground work, the project restored nearby park areas and added sustainable landscaping, including a rain garden planted with native, low-maintenance species that support local pollinators and wildlife.

Delivering a project of this scale required not only technical innovation but also a smart delivery strategy. The City of Calgary used a two-stage procurement process to bring together a team with both specialized tunneling expertise and broad construction experience. That approach allowed the project to move forward smoothly across multiple work areas and sensitive environments, fostering close collaboration from design through completion.

Award sweep: Industry recognition

The Nose Creek project not only broke the record for longest microtunnel drive completed in North America, it also has been recognized by several industry organizations: 

• 2025 Top Trenchless Project in North America, Honorable Mention. Jacobs also contributed to 1st and 2nd place projects: CHPE HDD segment and Willamette River crossing 

• 2025 No-Dig North Project of the Year for Canada – New Installation  

• 2025 Western Canada Water's Best Article of the Year  

• 2024 Pipelines 2024 Honorable Mention for Best Paper 

The Nose Creek Sanitary Sewer Trunk project exemplifies how collaboration, innovation and technical rigor can overcome complex challenges and deliver sustainable infrastructure that keeps communities healthy while preserving the natural landscape that define them.