[sdm]

Wheels in motion for new Dartmouth bus terminal
Project to sprawl onto city parkland
By PATRICIA BROOKS ARENBURG Staff Reporter
Mon. Apr 13 - 5:27 AM

It’s been a long wait, but a new bus terminal for Dartmouth is en route.

"We’re proceeding with plans to start building in the spring," Metro Transit spokeswoman Lori Patterson said Sunday.

The new terminal will replace the current one next to the Dartmouth Sportsplex near the Angus L. Macdonald Bridge.

A city website says the new terminal will be similar to but much bigger than the one at Portland Hills.

It will include: 16 bus bays, eight of which will be for articulated buses; an enclosed terminal waiting area; enhanced security measures; and the ability to accommodate low-floor buses.

Ms. Patterson was at home when contacted Sunday and didn’t have figures and exact dates at hand. But she said the "funds were in the budget since 2006 or ’07, and it was approved to go ahead."

Halifax Regional Municipality worked on the plans for about six years before the province hopped on board and amended the Municipal Government Act last November, allowing construction to extend over six acres of the Dartmouth Common, opening the doors for the project.

An estimated 18,000 commuters get on the bus at the Dartmouth terminal each day, Ms. Patterson said

Buses make between 1,200 and 1,400 daily trips to the terminal, said Dan MacDonald, president of Local 508 of the Amalgamated Transit Union.

"What people don’t realize is that with the (existing) terminal, we can only take so many buses per hour. With this new terminal, we’ll be able to . . . give transit the opportunity to be able to expand. That’s the big thing — expansion."

Expanding the terminal into part of the Dartmouth Common was a cause for concern among some residents, said area councillor Gloria McCluskey, who has supported building a new terminal.

The wooded area behind the Sportsplex, which will be part of the new terminal, is a "dirty area that’s always full of garbage," but she said the city "could’ve done better with their consultation."

"We have to have a place for residents to get on the bus and not everybody’s happy with it. It would be nice if we had another spot, but for now, it looks as though that’s the only spot we have."

The new terminal is going to be good for the union and for the people of Dartmouth, Mr. MacDonald said.

"It gives the people of Dartmouth the ability to get the service that they’ve . . . so longingly deserved."

The terminal is expected to open in the fall.

( pbrooks@herald.ca)

[ZET]

Gloria is also trying to get funds to fix up the field at dartmouth High. There is a meeting April 22 re the renovations at Dartmouth High. ZET

[DigitalNinja]

It's pretty bad that it takes this city 5 years to build a bus terminal. But on the upside at least we are getting it.

[Waye Mason]

Fixing Dartmouth High is an HRSB/provincial responsibility, I hope there is no talk of putting city money into it, except maybe the gym/auditorium if that will be made more accessable to the public like Citadel's.

[Jonovision]

Good news. I was beginning to worry that we wouldn't see it this year. That bus terminal is badly needed. Still not a huge fan of the design though.

[Dmajackson]

Here is the rendering for the terminal;

Bridge Terminal Expansion (http://halifax.ca/metrotransit/documents/terminal.PDF)

And this was brought up on another thread but the Sportsplex is also being expanded to include som basketball courts at some point in time.

[ZET]

Fixing Dartmouth High is an HRSB/provincial responsibility,

and that is the essence of the problem. Both parties point to the other as having the ball in their court and nothing happens. Is it just me being cynical or does the fact that the NDP cover Dartmouth in orange have anything to do with dartmouth High being ignored for so long. Citadel has already had more money for renovations while DH has been waiting for a fixup.

The $ that I mentioned per Gloria was realted to the sports field, which is a HRM responsibility.

re the rendering for the bus terminal I can't figure out how it is situated. Is the building at the top of the rendering the scotia bank on Wyse rd? ZET

[terrynorthend]

I really dont like he design of this terminal either. I have a feeling that its gonna be a big mess and bottleneck with the enter/exit at the west end, and a loop at the far end. Its a very long dock. I'd really liked to have seen something like at MicMac Mall where it slides up against the roadside.. with two-way traffic.. that works well.

[Dmajackson]

re the rendering for the bus terminal I can't figure out how it is situated. Is the building at the top of the rendering the scotia bank on Wyse rd? ZET

Yes it is.

Wyse Rd is at the top, Nantucket is on the right.

I believe the buses coming from Wyse will use the same entrance they currently do and same for the Nantucket buses.

The crosswalk on the bottom right is the one in front of McDonald's.

[sdm]

Here is the rendering for the terminal;

Bridge Terminal Expansion (http://halifax.ca/metrotransit/documents/terminal.PDF)

And this was brought up on another thread but the Sportsplex is also being expanded to include som basketball courts at some point in time.

so whats the building on the top of that rendering?

[hfx_chris]

That would be the existing Scotiabank at the corner of Wyse and Nantucket.

I really dont like he design of this terminal either. I have a feeling that its gonna be a big mess and bottleneck with the enter/exit at the west end, and a loop at the far end. Its a very long dock. I'd really liked to have seen something like at MicMac Mall where it slides up against the roadside.. with two-way traffic.. that works well.
I half agree. The Mic Mac terminal design works for smaller terminals with fewer routes servicing it, but for a terminal like this one you can't have buses clogging the side of a busy street trying to pull over and pull out into traffic, especially there where people fly up that hill off of the bridge so freaking fast. But I do agree it would be nice if the lanes in the terminal were a little wider, with additional space designated for out of service buses laying over. That's one of the problems with the current terminal, the side that the routes 51/53/etc use, that outside lane is always being used as a layover spot for out of service buses, so in service buses can't move. I know they've been trying to get them to layover on Thistle street, but it never fails that somebody always parks their bus there anyway.
It just doesn't seem like a lot of "wiggle room" in that drawing (it's not a rendering, looks like they used crayons) between the outside lanes where buses will undoubtedly be required to layover, and the bays where in service buses are embarking/disembarking.

[Jonovision]

And this was brought up on another thread but the Sportsplex is also being expanded to include som basketball courts at some point in time.

The expansion is planned for after the canada winter games come and go. I think the date for construction was 2011.

[terrynorthend]

That would be the existing Scotiabank at the corner of Wyse and Nantucket.


I half agree. The Mic Mac terminal design works for smaller terminals with fewer routes servicing it, but for a terminal like this one you can't have buses clogging the side of a busy street trying to pull over and pull out into traffic, especially there where people fly up that hill off of the bridge so freaking fast.

That thought had crossed my mind too. But I think it would be workable if Nantucket was widened one lane to the south. A diamond lane that extends the whole length of Nantucket up to Victoria running alongside the terminal. Additionally, recess the docking bays on the north (streetside) of the terminal so the buses park clear of the diamond lane. There would be plenty of room for buses to merge in and out of traffic. Some routes could be re-arranged to continue east on Nantucket, and a service loop can be included to reverse routes back towards Wyse if needed.

[hfx_chris]

None of the routes go up Nantucket though, so everything would end up looping back down to Wyse regardless.

[terrynorthend]

None of the routes go up Nantucket though, so everything would end up looping back down to Wyse regardless.

I'm sure they could re-route a few. Number 10 could run up and turn left on Victoria, for example. Its about time they did an overhaul on the overall routing anyways, especially with the service expansion in the works that Metro Transit has indicated. Its always struck me as a very inefficient terminal because all the buses come from and exit to the same end (Wyse Rd). With this new terminal they still must do that, but with an even longer run up the whole length (half-way to Dartmouth High), loop around that narrow end and then all they way back down to Wyse, carefully negotiating other buses, pedestrians and Sportsplex traffic going every which-way.

[Waye Mason]

and that is the essence of the problem. Both parties point to the other as having the ball in their court and nothing happens. Is it just me being cynical or does the fact that the NDP cover Dartmouth in orange have anything to do with dartmouth High being ignored for so long. Citadel has already had more money for renovations while DH has been waiting for a fixup.

The $ that I mentioned per Gloria was realted to the sports field, which is a HRM responsibility.

Er, Citadel was the first new school in the old city of Halifax in 45 years, I think you need to review the facts. Don't covet your neighbours good fortune, etc. HRSB & DOE did engineering studies of DH, St Pats, QEH, PA and determined the worst needed work first. St Pats and QEH both being at their core 1930s buildings, that became the priority.

Don't get me wrong, if I was in charge I woulda renovated St Pats, PA and DH with the 30 million Citadel cost, and sold off QEH. The engineers said it would take 13-15 million to do St Pats. Imagine what 6-7 million each at PA and DH would do.

EDIT - as for the terminal, I just hope they put a full set of lights at the intersection on Nantucket, someone turning left into Sportsplex can murder the traffic situation during rush hour.

[Dmajackson]

Er, Citadel was the first new school in the old city of Halifax in 45 years, I think you need to review the facts. Don't covet your neighbours good fortune, etc. HRSB & DOE did engineering studies of DH, St Pats, QEH, PA and determined the worst needed work first. St Pats and QEH both being at their core 1930s buildings, that became the priority.

Don't get me wrong, if I was in charge I woulda renovated St Pats, PA and DH with the 30 million Citadel cost, and sold off QEH. The engineers said it would take 13-15 million to do St Pats. Imagine what 6-7 million each at PA and DH would do.

EDIT - as for the terminal, I just hope they put a full set of lights at the intersection on Nantucket, someone turning left into Sportsplex can murder the traffic situation during rush hour.

Just as a side note for the school situation renovations for Dartmouth High were just announced today along with other school board stuff (see the "General Updates and News" thread).

As for the terminal I think they could easily incorporate an entrance at the top to Nantucket and reroute a couple of buses from Boland down Victoria and into the terminal.

[hfx_chris]

I've never been a fan of removing existing service...

[Wishblade]

Alright, I've got to ressurect this thread. I go to the sportsplex terminal 5 days a week and I have yet to see any work to start on this. It's beginning to become quite apparent that the wheels are not in motion at all lol. Anybody hearing anything about this?

[Keith P.]

It's a HRM project, so expect some speedy progress on this over the next decade or so. ;)

[JET]

the last word was that they were retooling the layout after the student demonstration. JET

[Wishblade]

the last word was that they were retooling the layout after the student demonstration. JET

I havn't heard of that. What happened?

[hfx_chris]

They bitched that part of that crappy forest behind Dartmouth High, part of the commons, was going to be used for the terminal. So I guess that's one less place to hide and smoke, while tossing garbage everywhere.

[JET]

They bitched that part of that crappy forest behind Dartmouth High, part of the commons, was going to be used for the terminal. So I guess that's one less place to hide and smoke, while tossing garbage everywhere.

I think provides a very negative reflection on what the students said and intended. Read the article and ignore the author's name. What the students had to say is quite valid and well spoken. Sure people do lots of things in those woods that's less than admirable, but the students who protested just wanted the location reconsidered, while maintaing some of the greenspace. Having a large number of idling buses right next to a school is not good for anyone. Having the bus terminal not so close to the school, and maybe clearing out some of the woods so that it's more parklike, would gratly improve that area.
also, remeber that these are kids that go to a school that has been ignored and deteriorated significantly around them, while other schools have been renovated or built. JET

http://www.thecoast.ca/RealityBites/archives/2009/06/11/dartmouth-high-school-students-protest-bus-terminal-expansion-into-the-urban-wilderness-park

[Jonovision]

Hopefully this will prompt them to design something better. I wasn't a fan of the original plan. Too strung out.

[JET]

http://www.thecoast.ca/halifax/dartmouth-common-anger/Content?oid=1320709

[worldlyhaligonian]

Well its great to see we can all agree to disagree on everything in this city...

I'm beginning to believe that democracy is seriously flawed when people can't support something as utilitarian as public transportation infrastructure...

This whole thing conjures up memories of the evil Bayer's Rd widening... the result was a street where buses, people and cars all move much easier.

[Keith P.]

This whole thing conjures up memories of the evil Bayer's Rd widening... the result was a street where buses, people and cars all move much easier.

I think you mean Chebucto Road. Bayers Road needs to be widened too but it has not progressed, since, in Halifax, all widening projects are labeled as evil and therefore cannot be supported by the usual suspects.

[NLJP]

I think you mean Chebucto Road. Bayers Road needs to be widened too but it has not progressed, since, in Halifax, all widening projects are labeled as evil and therefore cannot be supported by the usual suspects.
Sounds a lot like St. John's to me... :rolleyes:

[worldlyhaligonian]

I think you mean Chebucto Road. Bayers Road needs to be widened too but it has not progressed, since, in Halifax, all widening projects are labeled as evil and therefore cannot be supported by the usual suspects.

You're right, I meant Chebucto.

[someone123]

Calling that clump of trees a "wilderness area" is a bit of a stretch. We're not talking about Jasper here..

[worldlyhaligonian]

LOL.


I looked at it with both google earths/maps and microsoft bing maps 3-d/maps and its pretty sketchy.

Walking around it with google, I think with the addition of the station and trimming back of some of the "urban wilderness park" would make the urban fabric significantly more coherent and less "sketchy".

[Dmajackson]

Frustration boils over loss of green space
Residents angry Dartmouth Common land will be used for new bus terminal
Halifax News Net
By Joanie Veitch – The Weekly News

The draft plans look good overall, but building a new bus terminal should not trump preserving Common land.
That was the message residents continued to hammer at the team working on the Dartmouth Common Master Plan at last week’s public meeting.
For nearly two hours of the three-hour meeting, hosted by HRM planning staff and CBCL consultants, people voiced similar concerns about the bus terminal expansion.
“The Dartmouth Common is the Dartmouth Common and it should not be used as a bus terminal. The whole thing should be revisited,” said Trevor Parsons, a local realtor and longtime resident of Dartmouth.
At issue is Metro Transit’s plan to expand the bridge terminal into the urban wilderness area above the Dartmouth Sportsplex parking lot. The original expansion plan ran the terminal approximately three acres up Nantucket Avenue. In addition to criticism at the loss of more green space, that plan drew criticism when first announced this past spring as it could pose security concerns for the nearby Dartmouth High School.
That configuration is still on the table in two of the four options for the Common presented at last week’s meeting. The other two options rotate the terminal to run between Nantucket and Thistle Street, along the top of the Sportsplex parking lot.
The province amended the Municipal Government Act last fall, thereby allowing the new bus terminal to use up to six acres of Dartmouth Common land. Although many people remarked that the decision to allow Metro Transit to expand onto that parcel of land was done with insufficient public input, that decision means the bus terminal will go on Dartmouth Common land and some or all of the existing urban wilderness area must be used to accommodate it, said Gordon Smith, one of the CBCL consultants hired by the city to work on the project.
“I feel as bad as you do, but that train has left the station,” he said.
“This urban woodland space once it’s gone, it will never be back as open space,” lamented resident Tom Gribbin during his turn at the mike. “I feel so sad that it is just seen as a blight to get rid of.”
One resident, however, took a different tact than most. Noting the amount of development that has already occurred on Common land, Colin May suggested the city buy the Brightwood Golf & Country Club land and call it the new Dartmouth Common.
“There’s next to nothing left,” May said. “It’s all been given away over the last 150 years to the point where we’re now fighting over a little piece of scrub land.”
Echoing that sentiment to some extent was Jean Llewellyn, who suggested that Dartmouth residents should demand “definite things” in return for giving up part of the Dartmouth Common for the new bus terminal.
“This is a huge thing we are giving up so it requires great remuneration,” she said.
The comments expressed were consistent with what the consultation team has heard since the first public meeting in April, said HRM’s Holly Richardson, in an interview following the meeting.
“This community knows what it wants and doesn’t want. We have had excellent feedback all through this process,” she said.
The proposed plans presented by CBCL aim to redefine the Dartmouth Common as a landmark destination in HRM, with clear entrance points, trails, a new pro-size soccer and football field, an outdoor skating rink, amphitheatre and historical interpretation, highlighting sites such as the First Nations burial site in St. Peter’s Cemetery and the old Park School site.
The final report on the plan is expected by the end of the year.

joanie.veitch@gmail.com

[Wishblade]

I dont get it. The land their building this terminal on is completely useless right now. Its just a row of trees, its not like its a real part of the commons or anything. Atleast its actually going through. the current setup at the sportsplex is terrible, and I use it everyday.

[hfx_chris]

I have to admit I much prefer having the terminal run between Nantucket and Thistle. For one important thing, it's a lot more level.

[reddog794]

As well as being a bit more sheltered, by the building, from the wind.

[Wishblade]

I was at the sportsplex bus terminal today and saw an excavator on site along with a dump truck. Im hoping this may be the beginning of this. I'll post more info if it looks as if things are moving along.

[JET]

I was at the sportsplex bus terminal today and saw an excavator on site along with a dump truck. Im hoping this may be the beginning of this. I'll post more info if it looks as if things are moving along.

This is on the Transit website:
"Terminal design and construction is scheduled to begin in the spring/summer 2010, with construction to continue over the summer/fall 2010, with the full completion of the new Terminal anticipated for late fall 2010."

Maybe they are starting sooner? JET

[hfx_chris]

Were they actually working, or just parked there.

[JET]

I have to admit I much prefer having the terminal run between Nantucket and Thistle. For one important thing, it's a lot more level.

Dartmouth Common Master Plan

http://www.halifax.ca/RealPropertyPlanning/DCMP/index.html

[worldlyhaligonian]

Lol, the pros and cons of the bus terminal seem really off... most of the cons I would consider to be pros for this project:

"Significantly negative visual impact of bus terminal as seen from
MacDonald Bridge when approaching Dartmouth; bus terminal adds
more than twice the width of Nantucket Avenue pavement (16m) to
the east of Nantucket; bus terminal width curb to curb is 43m; loss of
the majority of tree canopy as seen from MacDonald Bridge"

How can that be substantiated/proven? I think the visual impact will improve the cohesiveness of the area instead of looking across a shady looking parking lot it will have density behind the Scotiabank building... especially as seen from the bridge. This is not a con, its an opinion.

"Major concerns from students, parents and administration of
Dartmouth High School about proximity of bus terminal (noise,
fumes, heat island effects, people penetrating school grounds)
Due to bus access routes, all buses have to circulate around
platform and will pass by school building (closest distance school to
platform 50m)"

Its already a bus station, making it better isn't a con.

"To access bus terminal from Nantucket, buses have to navigate one
right and one left turn Pedestrian circulation to and from bus terminal problematic"

Not really, as the current situation is F&#@ED.

"Bus terminal depends on exit route to Wyse Road; this prevents
future comprehensive build-out of Nantucket/Wyse corner;
undesirable optics of Dartmouth gateway corner will prevail"

I bet NIMBYs would be against this build out anyway.

"Majority of treed lands are paved over to accommodate Sportsplex
parking (amendment to Dartmouth Common act required)"

Build a freaking parking garage like the one going in at the Bayers Rd Shopping Centre.

"No pedestrian permeability throughout central common land"

??? This one just doesn't make sense, I have never entered the commons through that side as its sketchy as hell. Also, the sportsplex is already majorly in the way.

[Waye Mason]

Public Service Announcement

New Bridge Terminal Construction Now Underway

(Tuesday, September 20, 2011) – As part of the ongoing Five Year Transit Strategic Plan,

originally approved in 2009 and further to the recent award of the construction tender to
Pomerleau Inc., work on the new Metro Transit Bridge Terminal is now underway.

The new site is situated between Nantucket Avenue and Thistle Street, behind the current
Bridge Terminal. The existing Bridge Terminal will continue to operate regularly during
construction of the new terminal. It is the busiest transit terminal in metro and currently
accommodates approximately 23,200 passengers transferring or passing through on a daily
basis.

The new, fully accessible transit terminal is expected to be completed by summer 2012.

For additional information please call 490-4000 or visit the HRM website at www.halifax.ca/
metrotransit.

- 30 -

I drove by today couldn't see anything actually happening from Nantucket.

[Wishblade]

I just thought I'd mention that the work is now well underway and many of the trees have been cut.

[worldlyhaligonian]

I just thought I'd mention that the work is now well underway and many of the trees have been cut.

Finally... big things are happening in Dartmouth, I hope the legislation doesn't keep up with the development!

[Jstaleness]

Is there anyone on this forum that takes a bus into the Dartmouth Terminal? If so could you snap a few pictures of the progress?

[Waye Mason]

heh. I avoid that place at almost all cost, up to and including walking through the snow in winter to Alderney from Woodside, and taking the ferry there, rather than get on the 60 and dropped into that nightmare.

[mcmcclassic]

I can probably swing by there in the next week or so at the latest.

[JET]

with the trees all gone, there is a nice view of Dartmouth High. Can even be seen from the Halifax side.

[Dmajackson]

I avoid it all costs but its better than taking the 80 so I'm around there once a month or so.

As of next Tuesday though I will be going through or transferring at the terminal twice a day up to six days a week. I normally have a camera with me so hopefully some photos will follow.

[Jstaleness]

The official sod turning was today for the new terminal.

Was there any mention on what was going to become of the old terminal lands?

[JET]

The official sod turning was today for the new terminal.

Was there any mention on what was going to become of the old terminal lands?

I expect that the sportsplex would like it for parking.
They did lose some spots when the new terminal started.
http://www.dartmouthsportsplex.com/images/Renewal/Jpeg_Page_1.jpg

[-Harlington-]

Wasn't the sportsplex supposed to have an expansion, my guess is thats whats going to happen

Either that or its just gonna be parking, we could always use more parking :sly:

[Jstaleness]

The site is pretty busy now. Looked like the drainage and underground piping work is underway. Other than that at this point it's a pile of dirt with over-sized Tonka trucks driving around.

[Hali87]

Does anyone know whether or not they decided to go with the design that had a pedestrian bridge onto the roof? I remember a few months ago they presented two options (bridge or no bridge) but I never heard which one they went with.

[JET]

Does anyone know whether or not they decided to go with the design that had a pedestrian bridge onto the roof? I remember a few months ago they presented two options (bridge or no bridge) but I never heard which one they went with.

There is a picture of the terminal on a sign near the Thistle st entrance. It's being the 'blue' fence, and a bit hard to see but it seems to have those three elevated boxes that was on an earlier design. i believe that they did vote to for for the full proposal, rather than a watered down one. The sign said opening summer 2012

[Jstaleness]

I think it was a yes for the bridge.

[JET]

http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?p=5519342#post5519342

[-Harlington-]

Bridge Terminal :


http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7004/6671043937_e9a02b7359_z.jpg

[Dmajackson]

They really need to hurry this up a little bit ...

I use the terminal twice daily and usually at nighttime. After the random New Years Day shooting the patrons have become much more jumpy and it is very apparent just how dangerous that area can be. They do have a security guard on at night but the size and popularity of the terminal makes it impossible for one person to keep an eye on every person.

[JET]

They really need to hurry this up a little bit ...

I use the terminal twice daily and usually at nighttime. After the random New Years Day shooting the patrons have become much more jumpy and it is very apparent just how dangerous that area can be. They do have a security guard on at night but the size and popularity of the terminal makes it impossible for one person to keep an eye on every person.

the amount of rock and earth that has been moved about is incredible for a transit terminal.

[resetcbu1]

Are there any plans for increased security?

That may stop young hoodlums from shooting and stabbing each other in the face or Robbing innocent transit users.....

[SekishikiMeikaiHa]

A few shots taken from a car this morning. Hope the strike is over before the terminal is finished!

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7148/6811623291_8a65bb688f_b.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7164/6811624287_f9837274a2_b.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7019/6811622235_9a8059d3ea_b.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7017/6811625251_a15fa1b93b_b.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7025/6811626151_e38a3fd134_b.jpg

[wackypacky]

They really need to hurry this up a little bit ...

I use the terminal twice daily and usually at nighttime. After the random New Years Day shooting the patrons have become much more jumpy and it is very apparent just how dangerous that area can be. They do have a security guard on at night but the size and popularity of the terminal makes it impossible for one person to keep an eye on every person.
One person got shot, besides bullet proof vests for every resident of hali that will happen from time to time. The randomness is what bothers me of course. But aside from shipping all the you know whos out to west peteswick nothings gonna change. Hopefully that comment doesn't warrent a ban(could be talking about anything).

[haligonia]

But aside from shipping all the you know whos out to west peteswick nothings gonna change. Hopefully that comment doesn't warrent a ban(could be talking about anything).

What's that supposed to mean? :dunno:

[SekishikiMeikaiHa]

Taken by me today:
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7203/6884687921_4e5f9f38eb_b.jpg

[JET]

Taken by me today:
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7203/6884687921_4e5f9f38eb_b.jpg

they are now working on the second level of the terminal

[SekishikiMeikaiHa]

Taken by me today:

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7037/6962996521_150fc80f70_b.jpg

[SekishikiMeikaiHa]

Coming along nicely:
http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6215/6999797605_441e94436a_b.jpg

[fenwick16]

Thanks for the update SekishikiMeikaiHa. This is really moving along.

[Jonovision]

Glass is being installed on site.

http://i1063.photobucket.com/albums/t513/jn434892/IMG321.jpg

http://i1063.photobucket.com/albums/t513/jn434892/IMG320.jpg

[fenwick16]

Thanks for all the pictorial updates, Jonovision.

[SekishikiMeikaiHa]

Taken by me today:
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7220/7161057022_afd409b6a2_b.jpg

[worldlyhaligonian]

Is that the pedway being built to the left? Are the actually building the pedway or are we being duped?

[SekishikiMeikaiHa]

Is that the pedway being built to the left? Are the actually building the pedway or are we being duped?

I didn't see any signs of a pedway yet. Here is a more zoomed out view:
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8160/7161056264_aac3eff083_b.jpg

[Wishblade]

My guess is its going to be outdoor sheltering. Probably pillars with some sort of canopy.

[JET]

Is that the pedway being built to the left? Are the actually building the pedway or are we being duped?

they had agreed to build it as originally planned.

[jasonashhh]

I was driving past and seen they finished the overhead for the walk way I gotta admit it makes this terminal look pretty massive and up close I don't think there will be a bigger one than this for a few years !!!!! Excited

[fenwick16]

It is interesting to read the descriptions and see the pictures of the progress. I found this rendering that shows the terminal pedway and Halifax skyline in the background - http://www.halifax.ca/metrotransit/documents/09-30ViewtoLowerPlatformFromUpper.pdf (source: http://www.halifax.ca/metrotransit/BridgeTerminalExpansion.html)

[worldlyhaligonian]

It is interesting to read the descriptions and see the pictures of the progress. I found this rendering that shows the terminal pedway and Halifax skyline in the background - http://www.halifax.ca/metrotransit/documents/09-30ViewtoLowerPlatformFromUpper.pdf (source: http://www.halifax.ca/metrotransit/BridgeTerminalExpansion.html)

What a realistic rendering... :haha:

[HalifaxRetales]

http://halifax.retales.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/DSCterm.jpg

yep pedways are there

[fenwick16]

http://halifax.retales.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/DSCterm.jpg

yep pedways are there


Great picture. :previous:

[SekishikiMeikaiHa]

Can't wait to use the new terminal:

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7093/7168036251_fb73cafbe8_b.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7085/7168036717_ed31dc51c4_b.jpg

[HaliStreaks]

I was fiddling around with the panorama feature on my phone and took one of the front(..? lol) of the terminal.

http://i.imgur.com/mdCtz.jpg

[fenwick16]

:previous: Very impressive. It almost looks like a small airport terminal (and a large bus terminal). Is the image distorted by your camera or does it really look like that?

[Keith P.]

Now I know why it went so much over the original budget number. Transit is building a friggin' palace. All for bus driver washrooms...

[resetcbu1]

WTF, That is a bus terminal ? A tad too much I think.... what is the cost of this?

[HaliStreaks]

:previous: Very impressive. It almost looks like a small airport terminal (and a large bus terminal). Is the image distorted by your camera or does it really look like that?

It's a bit of both, there is a bit of distortion from the camera's panorama application (Samsung Galaxy Nexus) ... but the building does have a rather odd shape from that side, which works really cool with the camera in this case, I can't wait till it's finished so I can go up with my actual DSLR and get a few shots of this.. the building has a lot of odd perspective.

WTF, That is a bus terminal ? A tad too much I think.... what is the cost of this?

It is indeed a bus terminal, sort of nestled into the side of a slope.. I think the budget for this project was somewhere in the ballpark of $15 million. :koko::shrug:

[spaustin]

Now I know why it went so much over the original budget number. Transit is building a friggin' palace. All for bus driver washrooms...

Hardly. It's the busiest transit hub in the city, with the possible exception of Scotia Square. It should be an attractive and eye-catching building. Better to spend a little extra to build it right the first time. What would you have preferred, a paved parking lot and a dozen stand-alone bus shelters? You can't grow the transit system without the facilities to house it. Other cities wouldn't even blink at spending a few million on getting a quality facility for such an important location, especially for a facility that we're going to operate for 30-40 years.

[HaliStreaks]

Hardly. It's the busiest transit hub in the city, with the possible exception of Scotia Square. It should be an attractive and eye-catching building. Better to spend a little extra to build it right the first time. What would you have preferred, a paved parking lot and a dozen stand-alone bus shelters? You can't grow the transit system without the facilities to house it. Other cities wouldn't even blink at spending a few million on getting a quality facility for such an important location, especially for a facility that we're going to operate for 30-40 years.

Very well put.. I mean, we know we're probably not going to see any sort of rail transit here for a while. Why not sink the money into facilities that will handle increased demand for years to come. :notacrook:

[someone123]

It seems kind of elaborate but then again I used to transfer sometimes at the Mumford Terminal, which is really not that old, and it is pretty lacking in terms of both space and shelter.

I hope we see some substantial development in this area over the next few years. It's a big waste to have a nice transit terminal surrounded by empty lots and parking. The area from Boland Road to the Common could use a serious overhaul.

[worldlyhaligonian]

It also makes the area less sketchy. It would be a good idea for them to have security or possible police presence there.

[cormiermax]

It also makes the area less sketchy. It would be a good idea for them to have security or possible police presence there.

If they don't it will get trashed very quickly.

[Waye Mason]

Very well put.. I mean, we know we're probably not going to see any sort of rail transit here for a while. Why not sink the money into facilities that will handle increased demand for years to come. :notacrook:

I think this is a great step forward for transit. The cost ended up being $12.1 million (projected), of which a couple million was the bridge/park integration, which is going to be a really nice feature, and a couple million was dealing with the water issues that plague that site (remember when Wise Rd used to flood all the time in front of sportsplex?).

16 bus bays, 17,000 users DAILY.

[HaliStreaks]

I think this is a great step forward for transit. The cost ended up being $12.1 million (projected), of which a couple million was the bridge/park integration, which is going to be a really nice feature, and a couple million was dealing with the water issues that plague that site (remember when Wise Rd used to flood all the time in front of sportsplex?).

16 bus bays, 17,000 users DAILY.

The park intigration really helps make this a unique project, not only locally, but I think more widespread as well. I was taking my time walking around the the fence checking out the site yesterday, I was a little perplexed when I first saw these big concrete channels running right through the site at a couple of spots, and couldn't quite figure out what that was for, then I remembered the water issues :haha: it really looks like they did their homework in making sure that runoff stormwater from the site will be handled properly.:tup:

[JET]

I hope that the land between the terminal and the High School will be fixed up. I drive past Citadel High everyday and there is a huge difference in grounds maintenance; a bridge too far.

[SekishikiMeikaiHa]

Not much progress here. Some trees planted:

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7134/7559666090_bc670553bf_b.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8156/7559666846_1944e556a8_b.jpg

[HaliStreaks]

Coming back from Halifax tonight around 11 they had a good chunk of Nantucket Ave (the side closes to the terminal) closed off and it appeared they were prepping and getting ready to install new traffic signals where the crosswalk is.

[SekishikiMeikaiHa]

Opening in two weeks:
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7115/7784427094_9d1bae26d2_b.jpg

[teddifax]

You really get around and take such great pictures. Thanks for all the updates SMH (sorry my abbreviation- easier than typing your name here)

[SekishikiMeikaiHa]

:previous: Thanks teddifax! You are doing a great job on your updates too! :tup:

I take the bus to work in Downtown Halifax, so I get to see many of the Downtown projects.

Feel free the use SMH. It's a silly name! :haha: