Public Service Announcement 

Morris House move and related street closures 

Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2013 (Halifax, NS) – This weekend, the “Morris House” – a 249 year old wooden construction house that was spared from demolition in 2009 – will be moved from its current location on Hollis Street near Morris Street to a lot on Creighton Street at Charles Street. Due to the construction of the house, it must be moved in one piece. This move will take place over two days in phases.

Phase 1 - Friday, Jan. 25 from 3 a.m. to 6 a.m. (weather-permitting)

The first phase of the move will see the house get moved off the lot at Hollis Street and proceed south on Hollis Street, east on Terminal Road, north on Lower Water Street, west on Sackville Street, and north on Brunswick Street to Cogswell Street. Parking restrictions will be in effect along the route. “No Parking – Tow Away” signage will be posted. On the night of the move, there will be a moving closure in effect. The contractor moving the house will be escorted by Halifax Regional Police along the route. Motorists are encouraged to use alternate routes wherever possible.

The streets must be clear and dry in order to proceed. If weather conditions do not permit the move to start on Friday at 3 a.m., the alternate date for phase 1 is this Saturday, Jan. 26 from 3 a.m. to 6 a.m.

Phase 2 – Sunday, Jan. 27 from 1 a.m. to 5 p.m. (weather-permitting)

The second phase of the move will require substantial utility work. Gottingen Street will be closed on Sunday morning to allow utilities to lower overhead wiring. The work on Gottingen Street is expected to take eight hours, and as a result, Gottingen Street will be closed from Cogswell Street to North Street from 1 a.m. to 9 a.m. Motorists are encouraged to plan accordingly and take alternate routes. Metro Transit will be detoured on to Agricola Street Sunday morning until Gottingen Street is reopened.

Work will continue on Charles and Creighton Streets throughout the day on Sunday. It is estimated that another eight hours of work is required on these streets. Charles Street will be closed to through traffic from North Street to Buddy Daye Street, and Creighton Street will be closed to through traffic from Maynard Street to Gottingen Street from approximately 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Access for local residents will be maintained during the closures.

As with phase 1, streets must be clear and dry in order to proceed. If the weather forecast does not show favourable conditions for Sunday, the entire move will be postponed to the weekend of February 1-3.

HRM apologizes in advance for any inconvenience these delays may cause.

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Media contacts:

Michaelyn Thompson
HRM Communications
490-5940

Phil Pacey
Heritage Trust of Nova Scotia
237-1375

HRM Right of Way Services
490-6240