17th Avenue S.W. Sidewalk and Streetscape Improvements
Latest Updates
Sidewalk repairs and streetscape improvements have begun as of May 17, 2023. Crews will be working on the south side of 17 Avenue S.W., starting in the area of 2 to 4 Street S.W.
Two-way vehicle traffic and pedestrian access to all businesses will be maintained at all times.
Sanitary service repairs – Water Services
The City’s Water Services will be completing required repairs to a sanitary sewer line near 315 17 Avenue S.W.
To accommodate this work, a full road closure will be in place on 17 Avenue from 2 Street to 4 Street S.W. as follows:
- Thursday, June 8, 2023 at 9 a.m., straight through until Sunday, June 11 at 7 p.m.
Pedestrian access will remain open on the north sidewalk and via a temporary path on the south side of the avenue. Water and sanitary services will not be impacted.
Project Overview
As part of the final phase of the 17 Avenue S.W. Reconstruction project, The City of Calgary will be completing sidewalk and streetscape improvements along 17 Avenue S.W., from 2 Street to 14 Street S.W.
This project includes the completion of the following:
- Sidewalk rehabilitation from 2 Street S.W. to 14 Street S.W.
- Toplift paving from 2 Street S.W. to 8 Street S.W.
- Rehabilitation of concrete tree boxes from 2 Street S.W. to 14 Street S.W.
- General streetscape improvements from 2 Street S.W. to 14 Street S.W.
In 2023, construction will take place on the south side of 17 Avenue, before switching to the north side of 17 Avenue in 2024. Work will also be completed in sections, moving east to west along the avenue.
Access for drivers, pedestrians and businesses along 17 Avenue S.W. will be maintained throughout construction.
Frequently Asked Questions
The focus of construction will be replacing aging and cracked sidewalks, removal of trip hazards and rehabilitation of tree boxes, including:
- Sidewalk repairs from 2 Street to 14 Street S.W.
- Rehabilitation of concrete tree boxes from 2 Street to 14 Street S.W.
- Toplift paving from 2 Street to 8 Street S.W.
These improvements will help to ensure that 17 Avenue S.W. can continue to serve citizens and businesses for decades to come.
Construction is expected to begin in late April 2023. Repairs will be phased over two years (2023 and 2024) to limit impacts to drivers, pedestrians and businesses.
Work will be completed in sections from east to west along the south side of 17 Avenue in 2023, before moving to the north side in 2024. See above work plan for more details.
Yes – Access for drivers and pedestrians will remain open along 17 Avenue S.W. at all times.
While repairs are underway on the south side of the avenue in 2023, two-way traffic will be in place on the north side of the avenue in active work zones. The north sidewalk will be fully open for pedestrians.
Pedestrian access to businesses on the south side of the street will be maintained via a temporary detour path, with fully accessible ramp entrances to each storefront and building. Temporary bus stop adjustments may be required in work zones – watch for signage posted in the area.
Street parking will be temporarily removed on both sides of the street in active work zones, to help ensure the safety of travellers and construction crews in the area. Access to street parking will be restored as work is completed in each section.
All 700+ businesses on 17th Ave will remain open during construction.
For more information, visit calgary.ca/17ave. If you have any questions not answered on the webpage, please reach out to the project team at [email protected].
How to Get to 17th Ave
Calgary is home to an extensive network of bike lanes, pathways and cycle tracks, many of which run through its downtown core with access to 17th Ave.
For a comprehensive guide to the different bike lanes and cycle tracks that are accessible to 17th Ave, check out the City of Calgary’s Parks, Pathways & Bike Maps here.
Access 17th Ave from all corners of the city with Calgary’s Public Transit system. The C Train Blue Line runs from Saddletown in the northeast to 69 Street in the west, and the Red Line runs from Crowfoot in the northeast to Somerset-Bridlewood in the south. Both lines run through downtown along 7 Ave between City Hall and West/Kerby Stations. This downtown portion of the C Train lines on 7th Ave between 3rd Street East and 11th Street is the free fare zone (a fare must be purchased for all trips outside of this zone.) You can access 17th Ave from the Red Line stop at Erlton Station, as well as any of the downtown stops on 7th Ave.
For more information on Calgary city buses or the CTrain, including information on schedules, maps, passes and fares, head here.
The City of Calgary explored transportation options that focus on sustainability, health and the environment. As a result, they have issued permits to the companies, Bird Canada and Neuron, to provide access to these safe, sustainable methods of transportation.
You can ride a shared e-Scooter city-wide on bicycle lanes, pathways, empty sidewalks and roadways with lower speed limits and lower traffic volumes. You can also ride in the temporary adaptive lanes that are set up around Calgary. E-Scooters are not permitted on busier roadways like Macleod Trail.
Shared e-Bikes are permitted everywhere regular bikes can be used, and must follow the same rules that apply to bikes. See Cycling bylaws and safety tips for details.
e-Scooters, e-Bikes and public safety
It’s important to remember getting around Calgary safely is a shared responsibility so before you hop out for a first ride, make sure you become familiar with how to scoot and ride safely in Calgary. Review the tips below for staying safe while operating a shared e-Scooter or e-Bike.
- Shared e-Scooters and e-Bikes are NOT cleaned after every use. Please wash your hands with soap and water before and after using a shared device. Use hand sanitizer when soap and water is not available.
- Wipe down the shared e-Scooter or e-Bike with a pre-moistened disinfectant wipe before and after use. Please bring your own wipes.
- Avoid touching your face when using a shared e-Scooter or e-Bike.
- Only one rider at a time is permitted (no ‘doubling’).
- While riding a shared e-Scooter or e-Bike, be safe, slow down, and leave space when passing other people.
Fines for inconsiderate rider behaviour
Bylaw Fines address safety concerns and deter inconsiderate shared e-Scooter or e-Bike rider behaviour.
Fines include:
- A $400 fine for operating a shared e-Scooter or e-Bike in a reckless manner.
- A $400 fine for colliding with another user of the sidewalk or street.
- A $75 fine for carrying a passenger on a shared e-Scooter or e-Bike.
All fines related to e-Scooters can be found in The City of Calgary Traffic Bylaw 26M96 or the Bylaws related to Parks and Pathways.
Fines for improperly parked e-Scooters or e-Bikes
Company fines – E-Scooter/e-Bike permit operators can implement fines for those users who improperly park their shared e-Scooter or e-Bike once they have completed their ride (e.g. in the middle of the sidewalk). Every device has a unique ID that’s clearly marked, and you can report improperly parked devices by contacting the e-Scooter or e-Bike operator directly with a photo of the device’s ID and location.
For those with visual impairment, each shared device has a raised letter sticker with contact information of the operator.
Additional guidelines for shared e-Bikes
Shared e-Bikes must also follow the same rules that apply to all bikes, as outlined in the Traffic Safety Act. See Cycling bylaws and safety tips for details.
Slow Speed Zones
Slow speed zones for e-Scooter and e-Bike riders are in areas where there is a higher concentration of sidewalk users. The maximum speeds of a shared e-Scooter or e-Bike will be automatically reduced to a maximum of 15 km/h, (down from a max. of 20 km/h). 17th Ave is a slow speed zone.
Shared e-Scooter and e-Bike riders can avoid slower speed zones on sidewalks by using the many bike lanes, cycle tracks and pathway networks to get to their destination.
Etiquette for operating a shared micromobility device
- Pedestrians first– Always yield to people walking on sidewalks.
- Be considerate– Use your bell to alert others when passing on the sidewalk, pathway or in an exclusive bicycle lane.
- Ride safely– Shared e-Scooters and e-Bikes are available to riders aged 18+. Helmets are encouraged but not required. Maximum speed limit is 20 km / hr. Only one rider per device is allowed.
- Park responsibly– Park in a secure, upright position in designated areas, such as furniture zones of sidewalks, public bike racks in the new share & go parking zones and other marked parking zones. On sidewalks without furniture zones, give at least 2 metres of clearance for accessibility.
- Right and report– If you see a shared device toppled over or parked improperly, you can help out by righting the shared device or reporting the issue to the permitted operator. Contact info for each company is provided on each shared e-Scooter or e-Bike. There is a highly visible unique identification number on the body of each device. When reporting, please provide the colour of the device along with the unique identification number to assist us in addressing any concerns. People with visual impairment can use the information provided on the raised letter label to contact the right operator.
Find more information on the City of Calgary’s Micromobility program at calgary.ca/bike-walk-roll/electric-scooters
Where to Park on 17th Ave
Parking is available everywhere along 17th Avenue from 8th to 14th Street SW as well as on 16th Ave SW. Many lane access parking spaces are free when visiting vendor locations. Find Calgary Parking lots and Indigo Parking lots in and around 17th Ave on the map below.