The Calgary Zoo Flood Mitigation project consisted of the installation of a steel sheet pile cofferdam wall around the perimeter of St. George's Island, designed to protect the Zoo’s infrastructure from rising waters experienced during flooding of the Bow River.

This project features two kilometers of sheet pile driving into bedrock, eight dewatering wells with four outfall structures to the river, multiple utility relocations, and construction of new roadworks and pathways, including drainage improvements. Architectural finishing details include rock infills, concrete coping, landscaping, and fencing.

The complicated nature of the project, which involved working within an operational exhibit, allowed PCL to create additional benefits for the client and stakeholders during the course of construction. Both the City of Calgary and the Zoo wanted to limit the number of impacts in the coming years due to construction and as a result negotiated with PCL five additional scopes of work to be completed within the current time frame. PCL has been able offer value to these parties in doing so, which has created a very strong relationship with the project teams.