Edmonton Homeowners' Properties Eroding into Infill Excavations Amid Heavy Rains

Edmonton residents are voicing growing frustration and concern as infill excavations on their properties are increasingly eroding into neighboring construction sites, particularly following a summer of near-constant rain. Homeowners in areas like the Glenwood neighborhood report significant damage and safety hazards.

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There was some rock that my husband had put in, he’d done all the grading. It took the retaining wall with it, it’s half gone.

Claire Spicer and her husband described how a severe storm washed away parts of their yard and a retaining wall into the adjacent excavation pit. The site, where an eightplex is under construction, had started excavation on July 17. Despite developers stating shoring was in progress, a storm on July 18, just one day later, overwhelmed the site before proper support was in place, turning it into a pool of water.

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This is a serious safety concern.

"This is a serious safety concern," Spicer stated, highlighting the easy access for children or pets to the dangerous excavation. Following the July 18 storm, the site accumulated two feet of water, which took four days to pump out. The incident underscores the vulnerability of adjacent properties when construction sites lack adequate protective measures during adverse weather.

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We take our responsibility to protect our workforce and our neighbours’ interests with the utmost seriousness.

Aadesh Projects, the developer of the infill property, acknowledged the challenges posed by continuous rain systems from July 19 to August 2, which created site constraints and prevented timely shoring repairs. They assured Global News they are working to mitigate risks and prevent further soil collapse, with plans to secure side slopes and finalize shoring by August 5. However, residents like Spicer are skeptical, noting that promised completion dates for repairs have repeatedly been pushed back, adding to their distress.

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He says the issue will be rectified, but when I ask for specific dates by which this will be done, he gives me a date, and then it isn’t done.