Dartmouth Cove

The vision for the community of Dartmouth Cove is to have a walkable, cycle-friendly area that is well connected to other sections of downtown Dartmouth.

The objective of this project is to complete and integrate the Prince Albert Road, Portland Street, Alderney Drive (PAPA) intersection, Canal Greenway Park Plans, Active Transportation (AT) connections, Dartmouth Cove Development, and Sullivan’s Pond Storm Sewer Phase II projects.

Please check out the updated concept design and new 3D rendered fly-over for the area. The concepts include figures for the bridge aesthetics and potential layouts for the multi-use trail. Thanks to everyone who provided feedback on the bridge and multi-use trail. Your input is appreciated.

What's involved?

The Dartmouth Cove project is the combination of six infrastructure projects planned to enhance Dartmouth Cove and the surrounding area towards Sullivan’s Pond.

In 2018, Halifax Water began work in this area with Phase 1 of a storm sewer replacement project that included daylighting a portion of Sawmill Creek between Sullivan’s Pond and the harbour.

With Phase 2 of the storm sewer replacement expected to start in 2021, now is the time to coordinate plans and work schedules to minimize disruption in the area.

Infrastructure Projects

• Sullivan’s Pond Storm Sewer Replacement and Daylighting of Sawmill Creek
  Halifax Water plans to replace the existing storm sewer from just north of Irishtown Road (where the newest section of daylighting ends) to Dartmouth Cove, with design planned for 2020, and construction for 2021. The first phase of the project, from Sullivan’s Pond to just north of Irishtown Road, was completed in early 2018.
  
  
• Portland Street at Alderney Drive Intersection Rehabilitation
  The municipality's traffic team have identified the need to make major improvements to the Prince Albert Road, Portland Street, Alderney Drive (PAPA) intersection. These improvements include lane alignment, sidewalks, lighting, and traffic signal replacement, with a focus on making the intersection more pedestrian-friendly.
  
  
• Canal Greenway Park Concept Plan
  The 2014 Canal Greenway master plan imagined a continuous greenway from Sullivan’s pond to the Portland Street / Prince Albert Road intersection. With the closure of Irishtown Road planned and the addition of Park space to Canal Street, there is potential to expand upon this vision.
  
  
• Trans Canada Trail
  A new section of the Trans Canada Trail will connect the existing trail in Sullivan’s Pond Park to Harbourfront Walk. The alignment through Starr Park and to the harbourfront will be extended down Canal Street and/or Alderney Drive, to create a continuous Active Transportation corridor.
  
  
• State of Good Repair, Alderney Drive
  This project is the repair of Alderney Drive, from King Street to Prince Albert Road. This work includes curb replacement, repaving, and the addition of sidewalks on Alderney Drive. The section of Alderney Drive from the new Dundas Street intersection to Prince Albert Road will be reduced to two lanes, to allow space for new sidewalks and daylighting of Sawmill Creek.
  
  
• Dartmouth Cove Development
  This project involves the re-development of the Dartmouth Cove area through a comprehensive development plan. This plan has been incorporated into the Downtown Dartmouth Plan Update as part of the Centre Plan. As part of this development a new street grid will be created, including extending Dundas Street through Alderney Drive and into Dartmouth Cove. The Dundas Street extension will include a bridge over the existing Canal.

HEADING

Dartmouth Cove - Concept Design (updated) 

(click the heading for a larger version of the image)

3D rendered fly-over (new)

Progress to date

• Prior to August 2018: 
  • In the past year, the municipality has met with representatives from St. James United Church, the Shubenacadie Canal Commission, the Dartmouth Curling Club, and several owners of property in Dartmouth Cove.
  • A summary of the project was presented to the Shubenacadie Canal Commission, the Harbour East Marine Drive Community Council, and the Downtown Dartmouth Business Commission at their Annual General Meeting.
• August 2018: the municipality engaged consultants to conduct a feasibility study to determine how much of the Phase 2 storm sewer can be daylighted.
• October 2018: Members of the project team joined the Centre Plan public consultation regarding the Downtown Dartmouth Plan on October 22, 2018, at Alderney Landing. The result of this public consultation was that the Dartmouth Cove Development Plan was incorporated into Package A of the Centre Plan.
• January 2019: members of the project team agreed on a general concept plan for the intersections.
• July 2019: the team hired consultants to complete the detailed design of the Dundas extension and bridge, and the preliminary design of the PAPA intersection.
• October 2019: the team asked for feedback on the possible concept designs for the bridge aesthetics and potential layouts for the multi-use trail through an online survey.
• January 2023: Halifax Water is identified as lead agency, with the municipality working collaboratively to deliver on:
  •  Detailed (90 per cent) design. Preliminary (30 per cent) and functional (60 per cent) completed previously.
  • Land needs. Land acquisition for construction needs completed and work to establish temporary construction easements and related detours ongoing.
  • Refine project timeline. Two phases established with tentative timelines of construction season 2024 for Phase One, and 2025 for Phase Two.

Dartmouth Cove

Phase 1 of the Sullivan’s Pond storm sewer replacement and daylighting of Sawmill Creek.