Calgary to spend $2.4M to repair nearly 300 tree-damaged sidewalks amid safety concerns
Posted May 30, 2026 9:34 am.
Last Updated May 30, 2026 9:36 am.
The City of Calgary is spending $2.4 million to fast-track repairs to nearly 300 tree-damaged sidewalks as residents warn the safety risks can’t wait.
In the southeast community of Sundance, right by a local school, broken sidewalks caused by tree roots are creating a real safety concern for kids walking to class, as well as for seniors and anyone using bikes or scooters.
For Carol, who rides a wheelchair, damaged sidewalks can turn a simple trip into a challenge. She says she often has to avoid certain routes altogether.
“It’s very bumpy. So we just come to this other side, it’s very flat and easy. It would be great if the city would level it for people like us,” she told CityNews.
“I’m sure the kids in elementary school, they find all those ups and downs really difficult, and the cracks in the sidewalk difficult as well, and in the winter it’s really hard.”
It’s one reason Ward 14 Councillor Landon Johnston pushed for a motion to fast-track repairs to nearly 300 tree-damaged sidewalks across Calgary. Council approved $2.4 million for the work.
While some question the price tag, Johnston says on X, the money will come from reserve funds and won’t affect future taxes.
“The safety of our residents across the city is one of our top priorities. Many sidewalks have been damaged by the roots of trees to the point that they cause major tripping hazards for our residents. It also makes it much harder to keep them clear of ice and snow, making it dangerous to get the mail or walk to the store or bus stop in the winter. $2.4 million is a small amount to provide proper fixes to our sidewalks and ensure that our friends, loved ones and neighbours are able to safely take walks through our communities,” he said in a further statement to CityNews.
Mark Nelson, another Sundance resident, is also concerned about safety and the condition of the sidewalks.
“Personally, I do worry about the scooter riders on such sidewalks. They go about fifty kilometres an hour, and so when you’re approaching the alley, it’s really good to slow down, so you don’t fall, and they don’t hit you as you’re travelling. But the walkway itself, I would say it’s a hazard,” he said.
The city says the highest needs for improvement are in wards 14, 10 and 6.
To complete this work, trees in poor condition will be removed along with their roots before sidewalks are replaced. This is expected to begin in June, with sidewalk repairs starting in August.
The city expects to complete all tree removals and approximately half of the sidewalk replacements in 2026, with the remaining work completed in 2027.
It also says that, where possible, replacement trees will be planted this year. If not, planting will take place in 2027.
