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)
Link: Defence Team Update #8 (30 March 2023)

Defence Team Update #9 (revised): Cogswell District Project

Temporary stairs between parking area K and Barrington Greenway to be replaced with permanent stairs, changes to Halifax Transit Route 50 outbound

12 October 2023

Local Defence Team,

As the Halifax Regional Municipality’s Cogswell District Project steadily progresses, here are two recent updates that will impact some members of our workforce:

1. Temporary stairs at HMC Dockyard to be replaced with permanent stairs

On February 23, 2023, temporary stairs were 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. These stairs were removed on October 10, 2023 to make way for a permanent set of stairs that was expected to be constructed by the end of November 2023. Due to unforeseen delays with the handrail fabrication, the stairs are now expected to be completed by December 15, 2023.

Timeline as follows:

  • Week of October 10-13: Removal of temporary stairs/scaffolding
  • Week of October 16-20: Clearing of vegetation
  • Week of October 23-27: Construction of permanent stairs begins
  • December 15: Construction of permanent stairs is completed

Until the permanent stairs are constructed and open for use, local Defence Team members are asked to use the access tunnel located near the intersection of Valour Way and Barrington Street.

2. Cogswell District Road Closure – Route 50 Detour 

Halifax Transit Route 50 (Dockyard – Shipyard) is currently on detour due to the Cogswell District project. The detours currently in place began on Monday, February 6, 2023, and will remain in place until Wednesday, October 18, 2023.

On October 18, 2023, a new detour for Route 50 Outbound will be implemented. Please see the Halifax Transit Service Disruptions page and the map below for more information.

Figure 1 Changes to Halifax Transit Route 50 (Dockyard – Shipyard) afternoon route effective October 18, 2023, until further notice.

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.

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.

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