Calgary’s McHugh Bluff closed for 15 months

A popular Calgary lookout spot will be closed for over a year for repairs, after “slope failure” caused damage to the area.

The pathway along McHugh Bluff between 5A Street and 6 Street NW will remain shut down for 15 months due to “hazardous conditions,” the City says.

Slope failure caused a tree to fall on the pathway at McHugh Bluff. (Nick Blakeney, CityNews Photo)

In August of last year, heavy rainfall caused instability issues of the slope along the pathway behind houses on 3 Avenue NW.

The City of Calgary says while there’s currently no danger to homes in the area, it’s working to fix the problem.

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The City and contractors are monitoring the situation and short-term repairs are expected to last for about 15 months. In the meantime, detours are in place for people who want to walk along the path.

Map of the McHugh Bluff. (Courtesy: City of Calgary)

Short-term repairs include installing:

• soil nails with shotcrete
• sheet drains
• horizontal slope drains
• high strength wire mesh/steel plates/geosynthetics
• reconstruction of the existing gabion basket retaining wall adjacent to the pathway

The City is also planning to start work on long-term repairs to the area in 2023.