HomeDiagramsDatabaseMapsForum About
     

Go Back   SkyscraperPage Forum > Regional Sections > Canada > Atlantic Provinces > Halifax > Transportation & Infrastructure


Reply

 
Thread Tools Display Modes
     
     
  #61  
Old Posted Jan 6, 2009, 3:03 AM
Dmajackson's Avatar
Dmajackson Dmajackson is offline
Moderator
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: B3K Halifax, NS
Posts: 9,294
Quote:
Originally Posted by someone123 View Post
Transportation to the airport in Halifax is pretty awful. Getting a taxi is something like $60. I guess shuttles can be found for cheaper but there is NO transit service and the airport is very far out for such a small city. A train from, say, Mumford Terminal to the airport running back and forth a few times a day would of course be very successful but I guess that is off the table for ultimately pointless political reasons.
The good news about that is the proposed express routes for the highway corridors include a stop at the airport in the 102 corridor. While it won't stop there many times per day if demand is high enough they might increase the frequency.

The buses are proposed cost around $5 as well aren't they? And our transit fares are $2 also so while not as nice as NYC we'll be comparable assuming these express buses become a reality.
__________________
NEW!!!Halifax Developments Blog

- DJ
Reply With Quote
     
     
  #62  
Old Posted Jan 6, 2009, 10:43 PM
hfx_chris hfx_chris is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Dartmouth, NS
Posts: 1,450
Quote:
Originally Posted by someone123 View Post
Ever been to Grand Central Station? It is like a scaled up, nicer Union Station, although I agree that Union Station is also nice. Halifax's train station is a little sad.
Unfortunately never been to Grand Central. I think the thing I like the most about Union is the fact that you can enter the station through the ticket lobby with its massive ceilings and windows, walk down a ramp, and you're in these tight little areas with low ceilings. You've got it all.

Regarding Halifax's train station, I have to disagree. It's smaller yes, but it's a fine building. It looks great from the outside, and the inside is very nice. It's a shame though that they tore down the train shed over the tracks.. actually it's a shame rail service through the Maritimes was so crippled...
Reply With Quote
     
     
  #63  
Old Posted Jan 30, 2009, 6:11 PM
Jonovision's Avatar
Jonovision Jonovision is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 5,003
Changes ongoing at Halifax airport
We’ll see ‘distinctive structural changes to the terminal’s façade’
By Carol Dobson
Fri. Jan 30 - 4:47 AM




As 2009 unfolds, those traveling via Halifax Robert L. Stanfield International Airport will notice many changes.

One of the most important will be the opening of the new 2,300 space parking structure in early March.

"The renovations in the terminal, as part of the construction of the over road pedway, will be completed by June or July," says Peter Spurway, the airport’s vice-president, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs.

"There will be distinctive structural changes to the terminal’s façade and we will be installing new elevators and escalators. That project will run into the end of June."

There will be a new walkway from the parking garage to the facility. Those heading towards the U.S. pre-clearance area will have a new walkway that will make life less complicated.

Two of the end results of this phase of construction will be a striking glass façade that will extend northward towards the arrivals area, and additional retail space.

Those renting cars at the airport will no longer have to make the schlep across the parking lot to their cars. The car rental companies, and their cars, will be located on the ground floor of the new parking facility. Everything will be in one place and the cars will be undercover.

"We are in negotiations with a hotel developer and, when the hotel does go ahead, it won’t have an impact on the amount of parking available at the airport," Spurway says.

Inside there will be some minor changes on the departure level that will result in better views of the airfield. The duty free shop will also be moved closer to the gates that serve international passengers.

On the airfield side, a new combined-services complex is scheduled to be completed by September of this year. It will house both the fire department and the airfield maintenance operations.

"The new facility will allow our airfield maintenance crews to be on the runway within minutes. That will most certainly improve the services available to our customers and our ability to keep the runways in good shape during the winter." Those traveling along Highway 104 will also notice land being cleared for a new, 40,000 sq. ft. multi-tenant cargo facility. It will be used by several tenants and Spurway says approximately one fifth of the space will be refrigerated. "We’re going to be bringing the taxiway around the curve in front of this building," he says. "This is a significant development and will really enhance our cargo capability when it opens in September, 2009."
Reply With Quote
     
     
  #64  
Old Posted Jan 30, 2009, 6:12 PM
Jonovision's Avatar
Jonovision Jonovision is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 5,003
Airport’s new parkade to open in March

By TOM PETERS Business Reporter
Fri. Jan 30 - 4:47 AM

Parking pressures at Halifax Stanfield International Airport should ease just before March break’s exodus to sun or snow.

The Halifax International Airport Authority plans to open its new 1,900-space, five-storey parkade in the first 10 days of March, opening up space for 850 outside spots, There also 2,500 spots at the Park ’N Fly, served by a shuttle.

Peter Spurway, the authority’s vice-president, corporate communications and public affairs, said Thursday the new parkade will have a number of pay options.

Users will be able to get a ticket when they enter and pay at a station before leaving. They will also be able to pay cash at the exit plaza or use a credit card. And they can even use their MacPass; the airport authority has teamed with the Halifax Bridge Commission to allow people to charge parking fees to their credit card. Mr. Spurway said the charge will go to the credit card, not the MacPass account.

Using the parkade will cost $4 per hour in the short-term parking area and $4 per hour in the long-term parking area with a maximum of $18 a day.

When the parkade opens, prices will increase at the airport’s other parking areas. The surface lot adjacent to the parkade will be $3 an hour, $14 a day (up $2) and $70 maximum weekly. Park ’N Fly will be $11 a day ($10 with coupon), $55 weekly ($50 with coupon). Current prices are $9 a day and $45 weekly ($40 with coupon).

Mr. Spurway said to show its appreciation to people who have been patient over the pass several months while the parkade has been built, there will be no charge for parking there if people can go into the terminal and out in 30 minutes or less.

The authority will be testing parkade systems over the next few weeks. The bottom floor of the new structure will be occupied by the rental car companies.

The pedway between the parkade and terminal will be operating six to eight weeks later.

The last major construction job at the terminal is the reconstruction of the front wall from the centre of the terminal building northward, toward the arrivals area.

The wall is being taken out and replaced with glass, and a second-level walkway is being installed. Patrons will be able to leave the pedway on the second level and turn left toward U.S. preclearance or use an elevator or escalator to get to the main floor.

Mr. Spurway said the airport authority will be running several advertisements before the parkade opens to inform the public of all the changes.

( tpeters@herald.ca)
Reply With Quote
     
     
  #65  
Old Posted Jan 30, 2009, 8:59 PM
Dmajackson's Avatar
Dmajackson Dmajackson is offline
Moderator
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: B3K Halifax, NS
Posts: 9,294
MACPASS? That seems a little strange but I'm not complaining.
__________________
NEW!!!Halifax Developments Blog

- DJ
Reply With Quote
     
     
  #66  
Old Posted Jan 30, 2009, 10:34 PM
Wishblade's Avatar
Wishblade Wishblade is offline
You talkin' to me?
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Calgary, AB
Posts: 1,322
The amount of improvements going on at the airport are amazing. I can't wait to see it all come to fruition.
Reply With Quote
     
     
  #67  
Old Posted Jan 31, 2009, 4:46 PM
Jonovision's Avatar
Jonovision Jonovision is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 5,003
Halifax airport’s upgrades continue

By Our Special Features Staff
Sat. Jan 31 - 4:46 AM







The face of Halifax Stanfield International Airport continues to change as investments in infrastructure and capital development continually improve facilities for the travelling public.

The Halifax International Airport Authority switched its focus in the past year to projects on the ‘ground’ side of the terminal and has spent several millions of dollars on things like: upgrading roadways in front of the terminal building; a new 2,300-space parking garage; completing infrastructure requirements for a new Sheraton Hotel; developing a new $24 million combined facility for a new fire hall and maintenance equipment; plus going forward with a new $12-million, 40,000- square-foot multi-tenant cargo building, a joint venture with the private concern, Gateway Facilities Inc.

The cargo facility will be constructed near the IMP hangar in the airport’s airside subdivision.

"This is a major milestone (cargo facility) for the airport authority and our community," Tom Ruth, the airport authority’s President and CEO said in a release. "As the hub and gateway of Atlantic Canada and the closest North American continental link to Europe, this facility opens the door for tremendous economic growth for the region’s air cargo industry, as well as other aviation businesses like the one we’re seeing today," he said.

The parking garage will be completed early this year (2009). It will be connected to the terminal building via pedway which will keep airport users out of the inclement weather.

The 176-room Sheraton, being built at a cost of about $30 million, will be located next to the garage and also connected to the terminal by a pedway. The hotel is expected to be completed in 2010 and unlike the many detours required this past year to accommodate road work, hotel construction is not expected to hamper airport traffic or pedestrians.

As the airport grows physically so does its importance to the provincial economy.

According to economic impact study conducted by Hatch Mott MacDonald (formerly SGE Acres), the airport was worth over $1.23 billion to the economy in 2007.

The airport study took into consideration airlines, air freight firms, the airport authority, retailers and other companies within the airport community.

These businesses offer total direct employment of 5,530 jobs and direct wages and salaries of $193.6 annually.

IMP Group, Air Canada and Air Canada Jazz are the largest employers as they account for nearly half of the direct employment.

"Together, all our airport businesses create a trade and commerce catalyst with a tremendous impact on the municipality and the province as an economic generator and growth enabler," Mr. Ruth said. "The results of this study demonstrate the important role of the airport as we market Nova Scotia to the world."

The airport handled over 3.4 million passengers in 2007; visitors by air represented about 31 per cent of all tourists to the province and in 2007 it generated over $750 million in revenue.

In 2008, the airport continued its international award-winning ways by garnering a number of honours based on passenger surveys conducted for Airports Council International.

The awards were: first in overall passenger satisfaction for airports worldwide with under five million passengers; first in the best domestic airport worldwide category; and first in the Americas in the category of Airport People Awards. Halifax ranked second for overall satisfaction in the Americas.

In its six years of participating in this global airport ranking program, Halifax Stanfield has earned 12 first-place awards, five for second place and two third places.
Reply With Quote
     
     
  #68  
Old Posted Feb 2, 2009, 6:54 PM
pnightingale's Avatar
pnightingale pnightingale is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Dartmouth, NS
Posts: 64
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jonovision View Post
And they can even use their MacPass; the airport authority has teamed with the Halifax Bridge Commission to allow people to charge parking fees to their credit card. Mr. Spurway said the charge will go to the credit card, not the MacPass account.
That's great! With the price of parking at the airport, I NEVER have enough change for the meters.
Reply With Quote
     
     
  #69  
Old Posted Feb 3, 2009, 3:17 AM
Spitfire75 Spitfire75 is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Halifax
Posts: 253
It's taking shape and starting to look good!
Reply With Quote
     
     
  #70  
Old Posted Feb 5, 2009, 3:51 PM
Phalanx Phalanx is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Halifax
Posts: 584
I heard on the radio (CBC news) that the hotel construction was going to be delayed for another 12 months... D'oh.
Reply With Quote
     
     
  #71  
Old Posted Feb 5, 2009, 4:51 PM
sdm sdm is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,895
Quote:
Originally Posted by Phalanx View Post
I heard on the radio (CBC news) that the hotel construction was going to be delayed for another 12 months... D'oh.
Off till 2010, but seems like even that is not very firm (allnovascotia.com).

This is probably due to financing issues with todays economy as Hotels would be one of the toughest projects to be financed.
Reply With Quote
     
     
  #72  
Old Posted Feb 6, 2009, 11:05 AM
sdm sdm is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,895
Airport hotel on hold for a year

By Our Staff
Fri. Feb 6 - 5:56 AM
A slow economic climate has shelved construction of a hotel at Halifax Stanfield International Airport for a year.

Halifax International Airport Authority and its partners New Castle Hotels, LLC and Southwest Properties Ltd. have agreed to the delay, it was announced Thursday.

New Castle and Southwest have plans to build a full-service, 176-room Sheraton Hotel next to the airport terminal building and a new garage, which will open in March.

Hotels have been having difficulty getting long-term financing for both construction and operation and Gordon Laing, Southwest Properties president and CEO, said Thursday this is because of "the impact of economic conditions."

He said it is hoped there will be "signs of economic recovery over the next year that will allow us to go forward."

Tom Ruth, the authority’s president and CEO, said in a news release that the decision is "a very reasonable, prudent step to take, given the current global economic conditions."

"Our partners in this project are among the best in the business and we are hopeful that conditions will be such, within the next 12 months, that we can conclude the lease arrangements."

Premier Rodney MacDonald called the hotel’s delay "a sign of the times."

"It’s as a result of some of what’s happening with regards to the economy and the main thing is that that project will continue," Mr. MacDonald told reporters after cabinet Thursday. "Unfortunately, it will be delayed."

The parties have been negotiating since May 2008 on a land lease for the construction, management and operation of the hotel.

Southwest owns hotels in Moncton and Dartmouth in partnership with New Castle Hotels.

Construction of the Dartmouth hotel at Dartmouth Crossing is in the final stages and will be completed by the end of this month. It will be open for business in April, Mr. Laing said.

The Moncton hotel opened in June and "is doing extremely well," said Mr. Laing.

"It has been rated from a customer service point of view as the top Marriott property in Canada."
Reply With Quote
     
     
  #73  
Old Posted Feb 6, 2009, 2:02 PM
pnightingale's Avatar
pnightingale pnightingale is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Dartmouth, NS
Posts: 64
why would someone want to stay in a hotel in Dartmouth Crossing? I suppose a business traveler who had business in Burnside.... But to me it seems like an odd place to want to stay...
Reply With Quote
     
     
  #74  
Old Posted Feb 6, 2009, 2:13 PM
sdm sdm is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,895
Quote:
Originally Posted by pnightingale View Post
why would someone want to stay in a hotel in Dartmouth Crossing? I suppose a business traveler who had business in Burnside.... But to me it seems like an odd place to want to stay...
Leisure travel, people buying stuff would be the main market segment for Dartmout Crossing. The business traveler would probably stay at the hotels within the business park like the ramada/western or stay downtown.

I think an airport hotel is a good idea, just premature till we get a bit bigger as a region.
Reply With Quote
     
     
  #75  
Old Posted Feb 6, 2009, 8:45 PM
Wishblade's Avatar
Wishblade Wishblade is offline
You talkin' to me?
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Calgary, AB
Posts: 1,322
Quote:
Originally Posted by sdm View Post
Leisure travel, people buying stuff would be the main market segment for Dartmout Crossing. The business traveler would probably stay at the hotels within the business park like the ramada/western or stay downtown.

I think an airport hotel is a good idea, just premature till we get a bit bigger as a region.
Theres already 3 hotels at the airport as it is, its not like it would be the first one.
Reply With Quote
     
     
  #76  
Old Posted Feb 6, 2009, 9:08 PM
sdm sdm is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,895
Quote:
Originally Posted by Wishblade View Post
Theres already 3 hotels at the airport as it is, its not like it would be the first one.
If anything i can't see there being enough of a market to support 4 hotels.

Its not like its a far drive into Dartmouth or even Halifax downtown from the Airport.

That, and its not a huge airport to begin with.
Reply With Quote
     
     
  #77  
Old Posted Feb 6, 2009, 9:18 PM
someone123's Avatar
someone123 someone123 is offline
hähnchenbrüstfiletstüc
 
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Vancouver
Posts: 33,673
Wasn't there a half-built shell of a hotel next to the airport in the 90s that was eventually demolished? Funny how there are again problems with this.

The airport is not huge but it's not that small either. It handles about as many passengers as Winnipeg or Ottawa.

The big problem I have with hotels in Halifax is that tons of small ones are being built instead of a few larger ones that would be able to support better amenities.
Reply With Quote
     
     
  #78  
Old Posted Feb 10, 2009, 4:11 PM
q12's Avatar
q12 q12 is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Halifax
Posts: 4,500
Quote:
Originally Posted by someone123 View Post
Wasn't there a half-built shell of a hotel next to the airport in the 90s that was eventually demolished? Funny how there are again problems with this.

The airport is not huge but it's not that small either. It handles about as many passengers as Winnipeg or Ottawa.
There is no question in my mind that you will see the Sheraton built at the Airport within the next year or two. Having a hotel connected to the terminal is a big advantage and will mean it will probably end up being booked up more than the surrounding hotels including Hotels in downtown Halifax. Since the airport is a Hub for the Atlantic region and many people drive to Halifax from across the province and around the Maritimes, a lot end up overnighting at the airport before early morning flights.

The airport is now the 7th busiest in the country not far behind Ottawa and Edmonton. The only reason the Hotel was delayed was because of the current economic situation. I believe when the economy starts to turn around you will defiantly see them start construction.
Reply With Quote
     
     
  #79  
Old Posted Feb 16, 2009, 2:17 AM
Haliguy's Avatar
Haliguy Haliguy is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Halifax
Posts: 1,289
Here's a picture I got of the airport today...











Reply With Quote
     
     
  #80  
Old Posted Mar 11, 2009, 7:54 PM
hoser111's Avatar
hoser111 hoser111 is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 340
Airport parkade is set to open tomorrow, March 12th @ 8pm. Official news to be released on it tomorrow as well.
Reply With Quote
     
     
This discussion thread continues

Use the page links to the lower-right to go to the next page for additional posts
 
 
Reply

Go Back   SkyscraperPage Forum > Regional Sections > Canada > Atlantic Provinces > Halifax > Transportation & Infrastructure
Forum Jump


Thread Tools
Display Modes

Forum Jump


All times are GMT. The time now is 5:03 AM.

     
SkyscraperPage.com - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top

Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.