Key Phase of Dartmouth Harbourwalk Trail Moves Forward

Nova Scotians and visitors will soon see a new addition to the popular Dartmouth Harbourwalk Trail.

A 30 metre long galvanized steel bridge and wooden deck will be placed over the historic Shubenacadie Canal. The addition is a key link in providing direct pedestrian access over the canal and along the Dartmouth waterfront. The work is tentatively scheduled to begin Wednesday, Sept. 17.

"With this new addition, the Dartmouth Harbourwalk will now be more than 90 per cent complete," said Colin MacLean, president, Waterfront Development Corporation Limited (WDCL). "It is one more step toward a trail system around the harbour that allows residents and visitors to explore and enjoy the city’s unique attribute, our waterfront."

This phase is a joint project between WDCL and Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM). A large mobile crane will put the structure in place.

The bridge contains historic and aesthetic elements of the famous Buildwas Bridge in England designed by the late Thomas Telford. He was a Scottish civil engineer famous for his roads, canals, and more than 1,000 bridges and was instrumental in the design of the Shubenacadie Canal.

Construction of two approaches allowing for access on and off the bridge will finalize the project. Pedestrians will continue to have access to the trail outside of the construction area. The bridge is expected to be ready for use next spring.

Officially opened in 2004, the three kilometre trail now extends from the Dartmouth Ferry Terminal to the Woodside Ferry Terminal. WDCL oversees two sections including the area currently under development. HRM and the Dartmouth Harbourfront Trails Association oversee the middle section and are currently working on a trail alignment through the Maplehurst apartment site, from Old Ferry Road to Tupper Street.

The trail will directly connect to the Trans Canada Trail, HRM's park system, biking and walking trails, and complement continued development of downtown Dartmouth.

Another popular trail area includes the mural project around Dartmouth Cove. This collaborative project involves the creation of murals by local artists along the south side of the Yachtsmith building at 2 Maitland St. and the adjacent building at 18 Canal St.

The initial Dartmouth Habourwalk Trail project was planned and constructed by WDCL in conjunction with a number of other government agencies and community groups including the Department of Economic Development, Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal, Capital District Health Authority, HRM, and the Dartmouth Harbourfront Trails Association.

The cost for the bridge phase, including the approaches, is about $360,000.

WDCL is a provincial Crown corporation that plans, co-ordinates, promotes and develops properties, events and activities on designated waterfronts around Halifax Harbour.