News Release
Council Approves Plan for Major Downtown Infrastructure Upgrade
(Wednesday, December 8/
2004) - Halifax Regional Council has approved a staff recommendation
to proceed with $4.9 million in infrastructure improvements to downtown
Halifax.
Most of the funding, $4.15 million, will come from the Canada Strategic
Infrastructure Fund.
Infrastructure upgrades include separation of sanitary and storm
sewers, as well as the replacement of aging sewer pipes. This project
will have significant environmental, as well as quality of life
benefits for HRM residents and the harbour.
In conjunction with this construction, other possible upgrades and
infrastructure replacement include: replacement of aging water mains;
curb-to-curb resurfacing of a number of downtown streets; sidewalk,
universal access improvements; installation of natural gas carrier
pipe, power & telecom service utilities; and reconstruction
of the Scotia Square Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) terminal.
This project will provide an unprecedented opportunity for large
scale work to occur simultaneously. Long-term benefits of this coordinated
effort include:
• Overall financial savings to HRM;
• Minimizing future disruptions to business and residents
by coordinating as much work in this affected area as possible;
• Replacing aging and at-risk sewers;
• Replacing aging water mains;
• Potential utility and Capital District improvement opportunities.
In a further effort to minimize construction impacts, HRM staff
will schedule work around any planned events during the busy tourist
season, particularly in the waterfront area of downtown Halifax.
Impacts will further be reduced by scheduling road closures on a
street-by-street basis. This will allow residents to choose from
a wider range of alternative routing.
Work is scheduled to begin in March 2005, with completion expected
by December 2005.
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Ted Tam, Project Manager
Harbour Solutions Project
902-490-6130
