NEWS RELEASE

Natural Gas Construction to Bring Multi-Use Trail to Downtown Halifax

 

(Friday, August 15, 2008) – Work will begin this week to bring more than natural gas to downtown Halifax. Heritage Gas will be installing a new natural gas pipeline from the Macdonald Bridge to Upper Water Street, and Halifax Regional Municipality is pleased to announce that a new four metre wide, multi-use trail will be prepared along with the construction.

"The trail will meet HRM's new Active Transportation standard, contributing to recreational amenities in central Halifax and form a part of a long-term vision to extend a pathway around the entire peninsula," says Peter Bigelow, HRM's Manager of Real Property Planning. The trail will be a paved surface suitable for walkers, cyclists, skateboarders, and in-line skaters, and will connect the Macdonald Bridge to downtown Halifax; a welcome connection for many cyclists.

Construction of the trail will include fill, to build up the trail base, and clearing some trees along the trail way. Project planners and HRM arborists will preserve as many of the higher value, older trees as possible. Extensive landscaping, including the planting of new shade trees along Barrington Street, will form an integral part of the project.

The project is largely being funded by Heritage Gas who are proud to partner with HRM to facilitate the construction of the future trail in conjunction with the pipeline installation. Completion is anticipated by late summer, 2009.

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For more information, please contact:
Don Ambler, HRM Trails Specialist, 490-7359
Peter Bigelow, HRM Manager Real Property Planning, 490-6047