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)

Defence Team Update #7: Cogswell District Project

Valour Way south closure planned for February 6, 2023; opening of temporary entrance/exit at south end of HMC Dockyard for large commercial trucks, pedestrians and cyclists; temporary multi-use path open to public.

24 January 2023

Local Defence Team,

Here is our latest update on Cogswell District Project activities at His Majesty’s Canadian (HMC) Dockyard as of January 24, 2023.

Valour Way south (at Upper Water Street intersection) closure confirmed for February 6, 2023

The south entrance to Valour Way (at Upper Water Street) will be closed to motor vehicle, bicycle and pedestrian traffic starting on February 6, 2023, for a duration of approximately two years (see Figure 1). This closure will allow for the construction of a new roundabout that will create a more efficient flow of traffic to/from the downtown core. As a result of this closure and associated construction activity, HMC Dockyard employees, contractors and visitors can expect impacts to public and personal transit, especially during the morning and afternoon peak traffic periods.

General overview of Defence Team impacts:

  • Valour Way south closure. As of February 6, 2023, access to Department of National Defence (DND) property via Valour Way at Upper Water Street will no longer be available to personal motor vehicles (motorcycles included).
  • Motorists will continue to have access to HMC Dockyard’s non-operational parking area via Barrington Street/North Street and Barrington Street/Niobe Bridge entrances. Traffic signals have been adjusted at these intersections in order to favour DND traffic coming into and out of HMC Dockyard during peak hours (6 am – 9 am and 3 pm – 5:30 pm Atlantic). Motorists are asked to be mindful of speed limits in these areas for the safety of drivers, cyclists and pedestrians.
  • Niobe Gate, Admiral’s Gate, Centre Gate and Rainbow Gate will remain open for those authorized to enter the HMC Dockyard operational zone.
  • Pedestrian, bicycle and large, commercial truck traffic will maintain 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 that will open on February 6, 2023; personal motor vehicles will not be permitted use of this temporary access point. See details under the Dockyard South Access Gate section below.
  • Halifax Transit bus Route 50 (Dockyard-Shipyard), both inbound and outbound, will be on detour effective February 6, 2023, with a turnaround lane located at HMC Dockyard non-operational parking zone I. See details on this and other Halifax Transit route impacts under the Public transit impacts section below.
  • UPDATE. 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. See a map and details under the Temporary stairs for pedestrians section below.
Figure 1. The south entrance to Valour Way (at Upper Water Street) will be closed to motor vehicle, bicycle and pedestrian traffic starting on February 6, 2023 for a duration of approximately two years. This closure will allow for the construction of a new roundabout that will create a more efficient flow of traffic to/from the downtown core.

Dockyard South Access Gate for large trucks, pedestrians and cyclists opening on February 6, 2023

As noted in Defence Team Update #4, a temporary, southern HMC Dockyard access gate – for authorized* pedestrian, bicycle and commercial/DND large truck traffic only – will open when Valour Way south closes and will be located between HMCS Scotian (building D193) and the Base Logistics HAZMAT building (D207). See map below (Figure 2). Hours of operation: Monday to Friday 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday-Sunday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. This gate will provide a wide turning radius for large trucks while allowing pedestrians and cyclists direct access to/from downtown Halifax or the Halifax Transit ferry terminal. Signage will be in place to highlight this new access gate and its limited access.

This temporary access gate, a single-lane roadway, will not be available to personal motor vehicles (motorcycles included) due to public safety concerns and traffic congestion inside the HMC Dockyard controlled zone.

*Please note that those entering HMC Dockyard from this entrance must either be in possession of a valid DND/Canadian Armed Forces identification card or be listed on a Visitor Access List located at the Commissionaires’ hut. 

Figure 2. A temporary, southern HMC Dockyard access gate – for authorized pedestrian, bicycle and commercial/DND large truck traffic only – will open when Valour Way south closes and will be located between HMCS Scotian (building D193) and the Base Logistics HAZMAT building (D207).

Temporary, multi-use path open to the public

A temporary multi-use path (MUP) has been installed along the new detour roads connecting the Barrington Greenway to Lower Water and Hollis streets in the Cogswell District (see Figure 1). The MUP provides additional mobility options and improves the connection to the All Ages and Abilities bikeway network in the Regional Centre.

Cyclists have the option of using the MUP or riding on the street if they feel comfortable. If using the MUP, please be considerate of people walking or rolling and yield to them. For those travelling southbound and connecting to Hollis Street, the MUP will end at the new crossing in front of the Halifax Harbourfront Marriott Hotel. Cyclists may use this crossing to connect to the Hollis Street bikeway and continue their journey southbound.

HMCS Scotian

  • The sidewalk in front of HMCS Scotian is now open on the east (Halifax Harbour) side of Upper Water Street allowing for safe pedestrian passage. The west sidewalk across from Scotian (near the Halifax Wastewater Treatment Facility) will not remain open.
  • Scotian members will have access to their parking area south of the compound during the Valour Way south closure. The small number of parking spaces along the fence line to the north of Scotian have been removed due to the installation of the temporary access gate between Scotian and the HAZMAT building (D207).
  • A one-way turnaround lane will exist in front of Scotian for vehicular traffic, to be entered from the north (near D207) and exited from the south (clockwise).

Public transit impacts

During the Valour Way south closure:

  • Halifax Transit bus stops 8413 (inbound) and 8414 (outbound) along Upper Water Street will be closed.
  • Bus stop 8606 (Upper Water Street before Cogswell Street) will be closed.
  • Bus stop 6104 (inbound at Barrington Street/Cornwallis Street) will remain open, which is a change from previously reported information.
  • Bus stop 6089 (outbound, Barrington Street at Upper Water Street) has been removed and replaced with a new, temporary location closer to downtown Halifax.
  • Bus stop 2021 (Barrington Street before North Street) will not be serviced by Route 50 but will continue to service all other bus routes.
  • Route 50 Dockyard-Shipyard, both inbound and outbound, will be on detour, with a temporary turnaround lane established at HMC Dockyard non-operational parking zone I. All Route 50 bus stops at HMC Dockyard including 6569 (Valour Way after Coxswain Lane), 6571 (Valour Way after Centre Gate) and 6573 (Valour Way after Rainbow Gate) will remain operational.
  • Details and maps of all Halifax Transit bus stop/route impacts in the vicinity of HMC Dockyard can be found on our Cogswell District Project Questions & Answers page, Question #4.
  • For more information on all Halifax Transit impacts, visit ca/transit.

Temporary stairs for pedestrians along the Barrington Greenway

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 (see image below).

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.

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