Excavation Complete on Halifax Infirmary Expansion

NOTE: More photos are available at: https://news.novascotia.ca/en/2025/09/03/halifax-infirmary-acute-care-tower-excavation-milestone. Another video of media clips is at: https://news.novascotia.ca/en/2025/09/03/videos-halifax-infirmary-excavation-work

Excavation for the QEII Halifax Infirmary acute care tower was completed today, September 3. The project will significantly boost the region’s ability to deliver medical care and health services.

Since May 2024, 543,000 tonnes of soil and rock were excavated and removed. There is a 10-metre-deep footprint that is 260 metres long by 92 metres wide.

Structures were also demolished and removed from the site, including the former parkade and main entrance, both on Robie Street. The construction site is at Bell Road between Robie and Summer streets.

“Completion of the excavation phase marks a significant milestone in our commitment to improve access to care for Nova Scotians,” said Michelle Thompson, Minister of Health and Wellness. “This expansion will greatly enhance our ability to deliver critical services such as emergency care, surgery and trauma care. With excavation complete, we are now poised to move forward with the foundation and structural work, bringing us closer to delivering this vital new healthcare facility.”

With site excavation complete and four tower cranes in place – including one of the tallest free-standing cranes in North America – the focus will shift to constructing the foundation and building, along with mechanical and electrical work.

The ground floor level on the Robie Street side of the project will begin by the end of the year, with the facility opening to patients on schedule in the fall of 2031.

When complete, the new acute care tower will add 216 beds, 16 operating rooms, a 48-bed intensive care unit and an emergency department that is nearly twice the size of the current one. It will also have modern equipment, a satellite diagnostic imaging department in the emergency department, new and upgraded lab spaces and additional treatment spaces.

Quotes:

“Reaching this milestone reflects the hard work and dedication of the integrated, collaborative and motivated team involved in the Halifax Infirmary Expansion Project. With the site now fully prepared, we’re ready to proceed with the foundation and structural work, setting the stage for the next phase of construction as Nova Scotians watch the acute care tower rise to the occasion.”
— David Benoit, President and CEO, Build Nova Scotia

“Completing this excavation phase is a big step forward for the construction team working on the QEII Halifax Infirmary Expansion Project. We’re looking forward to channelling this momentum over the next few months as we continue to pour foundations and build the structure, moving us closer to completing this important project for the community.”
— Paul Knowles, Senior Vice-President and District Manager, PCL Construction

Additional Resources:

More information on the project is available at: https://buildns.ca/healthcare/hiep/

Patient and visitor information: https://qe2renew.ca

News release – QEII Halifax Infirmary Expansion Enters Main Construction Phase: https://news.novascotia.ca/en/2025/02/19/qeii-halifax-infirmary-expansion-enters-main-construction-phase

More, Faster: The Action for Health Build: https://buildns.ca/healthcare/more-faster-the-action-for-health-build/

Action for Health: https://novascotia.ca/actionforhealth/