Cogswell District Project

Cogswell District Project – Defence Team Q & A

Cliquez ici pour le français: Projet du quartier Cogswell

Link: Defence Team Update #1 (27 January 2022)
Link: Defence Team Update #2 (31 March 2022)
Link: Defence Team Update #3 (31 May 2022)
Link: Defence Team Update #4 (27 July 2022)
Link: Defence Team Update #5 (13 October 2022)
Link: Defence Team Update #6 (5 December 2022)
Link: Defence Team Update #7 (24 January 2023)

Defence Team Update #8: Cogswell District Project

Valour Way south at Upper Water Street closed, temporary stairs constructed at HMC Dockyard, bi-monthly Defence Team updates to cease

30 March 2023

Local Defence Team,

Here is our latest update on Cogswell District Project activities at His Majesty’s Canadian (HMC) Dockyard as of March 30, 2023.

Reminder: Valour Way south (at Upper Water Street intersection) closed as of February 6, 2023

The south entrance to Valour Way (at Upper Water Street) is now closed to motor vehicle, bicycle and pedestrian traffic as of February 6, 2023 and will remain closed for a duration of approximately two years (see Figure 1). This closure allows for the construction of a new roundabout that will create a more efficient flow of traffic to/from the downtown core. Pedestrian, bicycle and large, commercial truck traffic now have access to/from the south end of HMC Dockyard via a temporary gate located between His Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Scotian and the Base Logistics HAZMAT building (Figure 2). Personal motor vehicle traffic is not permitted entry or exit at this Dockyard South Access Gate. Personal motor vehicle traffic is to enter/exit HMC Dockyard property via the Barrington Street/North Street intersection or the Niobe Gate Bridge access road. Halifax Transit Route 50 – Dockyard-Shipyard – is on detour. Defence Team members can learn more details about this closure in Defence Team Update #7.

Figure 1. The south entrance to Valour Way (at Upper Water Street) is now closed to motor vehicle, bicycle and pedestrian traffic as of February 6, 2023 and will remain closed for a duration of approximately two years (see Figure 1). This closure allows for the construction of a new roundabout that will create a more efficient flow of traffic to/from the downtown core.
Figure 2. Dockyard South Access Gate opened on February 6, 2023 between HMCS Scotian and the Base Logistics HAZMAT building. This gate is for pedestrian, bicycle and large, commercial truck traffic only and will remain open for the duration of the Valour Way south closure.

Reminder: Temporary stairs constructed between HMC Dockyard and Barrington Street 

As of February 23, 2023, temporary stairs have been constructed between HMC Dockyard non-operational zone parking area K and the Barrington Greenway to allow safe pedestrian access between Barrington Street and HMC Dockyard during the closure of Valour Way south (Figure 3). 

Defence Team personnel and members of the public are to be mindful of winter weather conditions when using these temporary stairs. They will be maintained but prone to snow and ice cover during active weather events.

DND will be constructing a permanent set of stairs in this same location in the future (construction date to be confirmed). At that time, public access to the area will be restricted to enable construction of the permanent stairs.

Figure 3. To support safe pedestrian transit between Barrington Street and HMC Dockyard during the Valour Way south closure, temporary stairs have been constructed between DND/HMC Dockyard non-operational zone parking area K and the Barrington Greenway.

Bi-monthly Defence Team updates regarding the Cogswell District Project will cease after Defence Team Update #8. 

Given that the closure of Valour Way south has officially commenced, bi-monthly Cogswell District Project Defence Team updates will cease for the foreseeable future. Updates will be provided as needed if any Cogswell-related activities arise that will impact Defence Team members, operations and/or property.

GENERAL REMINDERS

Cogswell District Project Timeline

Please note that Cogswell District Project timelines are subject to change based on fluctuations in Halifax Regional Municipality’s (HRM) construction schedule as well as external factors. CFB Halifax, Real Property Operations Section Halifax (RPOSH) and other stakeholders are working together to respond accordingly to ensure disruptions to our members and operations are minimized.

Defence Team feedback

CFB Halifax recognizes that local Defence Team members may be impacted differently by the Cogswell District Project based on their specific work arrangements, travel requirements and other factors. Members are asked to speak with their respective Chains of Command/supervisors if they have any concerns. Further, Defence Team members can always send their feedback directly to CFBHalifaxPublicAffairs@forces.gc.ca throughout the duration of the Cogswell District Project.

Interacting with Defence staff

CFB Halifax encourages all Defence Team members to exercise kindness, patience and flexibility when communicating with their colleagues – including Commissionaires on the ground and communication teams online – with regards to Cogswell District Project impacts. Local Defence Team stakeholders are working hard to ensure a positive and effective collaboration with HRM staff and project managers that will benefit Defence Team members as well as HRM residents in the long-term and appreciates everyone’s support in remaining respectful of others throughout the construction process.

Future updates

Local Defence Team members will be kept informed on any future impacts to Defence property, personnel and operations as roundabout construction progresses. All updates are consolidated and available on the Trident Newspaper website at www.tridentnewspaper.com/cogswell.

Background

HRM’s Cogswell District Project, the biggest city-building project in the history of Halifax, will convert 16 acres of road infrastructure into a mixed-use neighborhood, extending the entrance of the downtown northwards and reuniting communities separated by the interchange lands. The project’s construction work is being executed by infrastructure and project lead, Dexter Construction Limited.

A portion of Department of National Defence (DND) property at the south end of the HMC Dockyard parking lot continues to be impacted by this project as construction progresses on a new roundabout that will create a more efficient flow of traffic to/from the downtown core. Once complete, this roundabout will offer Defence Team members access to enhanced walking paths and bikeways and a more seamless vehicular entry and exit route at the south end of Valour Way.

For more information on the Cogswell District Project, please visit the Halifax Regional Municipality website: Cogswell District | Cogswell Interchange | Halifax