General Updates and News

[ILoveHalifax]

I remember back a few years they had to close the library because it was tooooo hot. Once the new library was announced it seems the old library was not so hot anymore.

[Keith P.]

Originally Posted by JET

Probably also true for the Dennis Building then?

No that place has been well and truly a dump for decades.

[OldDartmouthMark]

Originally Posted by JET

Probably also true for the Dennis Building then?

[JET]

Originally Posted by OldDartmouthMark

Yep, I was thinkin' goose and gander.

[OldDartmouthMark]

From the Herald:

http://thechronicleherald.ca/metro/12954...wn-halifax-construction-sites-waye-mason

A local councillor wants downtown Halifax construction sites to be fenced in with plywood boards to dampen the noise and reduce the dust polluting surrounding streets.

Waye Mason (Halifax South Downtown) said chain-link fences aren’t providing adequate separation between developments and adjacent sidewalks, shops, restaurants and patios.

“It’s noisy, dirty and scary,” Mason said Thursday. “It’s creating a street-level environment that customers don’t want to walk by.”

I'm having a hard time imagining that fencing sites with plywood would have much effect on noise and dust unless you make it 50 feet tall. However, it would make it harder for those who are interested to see what's going on with the project.

Do people find construction sites "scary"?

Not wanting to be negative about a published quote by a fellow forum member, but the article seems a little overstated to me.

[Empire]

Originally Posted by OldDartmouthMark

From the Herald:

http://thechronicleherald.ca/metro/12954...wn-halifax-construction-sites-waye-mason



I'm having a hard time imagining that fencing sites with plywood would have much effect on noise and dust unless you make it 50 feet tall. However, it would make it harder for those who are interested to see what's going on with the project.

Do people find construction sites "scary"?

Not wanting to be negative about a published quote by a fellow forum member, but the article seems a little overstated to me.

We could request a tarp stretching four floors high with a rendering of the building. This is done in Rome and Paris so no one sees the wretched construction process.

[OldDartmouthMark]

Originally Posted by Empire

We could request a tarp stretching four floors high with a rendering of the building. This is done in Rome and Paris so no one sees the wretched construction process.

Uh-hh-h what construction?

[Dmajackson]

I noticed a digital message sign has been installed on Barrington St northbound just before the MacDonald Bridge ramp. IMO this is great especially with the MacDonald Bridge closures.

They really need a digital sign on Highway 118 inbound before Dartmouth Crossing. Last Saturday I came in from past Truro thinking the bridge was open and had no signage or anything until I got to Wyse & Boland! I had to detour down to Windmill and take a significant detour to the MacKay when I could of just gotten on the Circ and saved a lot of time!

I've now downloaded The Big Lift App so I shouldn't get surprised anymore but the benefits of a sign could extend well past this current construction mayhem.

[Ziobrop]

I personally hate plywood. You can't see what goes on, and it becomes a target for posters and taggers. Besides once the hole is dug, I don't think the sites produce that much dust.

The Nova center employed a sweeping crew during excavation that kept argyle clean and they washed down the street a few times per day. I was walking by the hole regularly and never really found the surrounding area dirty.

I do agree pedestrians do need to be better considered. Other cities put construction trailers up on platforms so the sidewalk remains open underneath rather then blocking it outright.

[gm_scott]

Originally Posted by Dmajackson

I noticed a digital message sign has been installed on Barrington St northbound just before the MacDonald Bridge ramp. IMO this is great especially with the MacDonald Bridge closures.

They really need a digital sign on Highway 118 inbound before Dartmouth Crossing. Last Saturday I came in from past Truro thinking the bridge was open and had no signage or anything until I got to Wyse & Boland! I had to detour down to Windmill and take a significant detour to the MacKay when I could of just gotten on the Circ and saved a lot of time!

I've now downloaded The Big Lift App so I shouldn't get surprised anymore but the benefits of a sign could extend well past this current construction mayhem.

Your wish will be granted very soon! The concrete footings for the signs at Miller Lake, and Dartmouth Crossing have been in the ground for a few weeks, and just a few days ago they started installing the metal uprights that will hold the signs. Sure will make driving a little bit easier.
Source: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scoti...m-on-new-electronic-road-signs-1.3116651

[Hali87]

Originally Posted by OldDartmouthMark

From the Herald:

http://thechronicleherald.ca/metro/12954...wn-halifax-construction-sites-waye-mason



I'm having a hard time imagining that fencing sites with plywood would have much effect on noise and dust unless you make it 50 feet tall. However, it would make it harder for those who are interested to see what's going on with the project.

Do people find construction sites "scary"?

Not wanting to be negative about a published quote by a fellow forum member, but the article seems a little overstated to me.

I wouldn't say "scary" (but then i don't really scare easily) but there's definitely a certain.. sketchiness around the Nova Centre site and Barrington, mostly because parts of the streets/sidewalks have been taken up as part of the site. I'm not positive that plywood would help this at all but mitigating the dust and noise would definitely be a plus for neighbours.

[fenwick16]

On a somewhat related topic, there was a story in the allnovascotia.com that there was a large dumpster in front of the NFB building that was blocking the sidewalk. Has this been remedied? Apparently the builder is bickering with the city over the issue; in this case the builder needs to do whatever is necessary to remedy the situation, not bicker with the city.

[q12]

Originally Posted by gm_scott

Your wish will be granted very soon! The concrete footings for the signs at Miller Lake, and Dartmouth Crossing have been in the ground for a few weeks, and just a few days ago they started installing the metal uprights that will hold the signs. Sure will make driving a little bit easier.
Source: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scoti...m-on-new-electronic-road-signs-1.3116651

Here is one of the current electronic variable message signs installed on Highway 111 and a map of the new signs being installed this week:

[fenwick16]

Originally Posted by q12

Here is one of the current electronic variable message signs installed on Highway 111 and a map of the new signs being installed this week:

This is a good idea. Such signs have been used on the 401 through the GTA for the past 10 years or so (if my memory of the time period is correct).

[alps]

Anyone know what that large building going up at Stadacona is?

[pblaauw]

Originally Posted by alps

Anyone know what that large building going up at Stadacona is?

It's a barracks/mess for junior ranks, I believe.

[Empire]

Originally Posted by Dmajackson

I noticed a digital message sign has been installed on Barrington St northbound just before the MacDonald Bridge ramp. IMO this is great especially with the MacDonald Bridge closures.

They really need a digital sign on Highway 118 inbound before Dartmouth Crossing. Last Saturday I came in from past Truro thinking the bridge was open and had no signage or anything until I got to Wyse & Boland! I had to detour down to Windmill and take a significant detour to the MacKay when I could of just gotten on the Circ and saved a lot of time!

I've now downloaded The Big Lift App so I shouldn't get surprised anymore but the benefits of a sign could extend well past this current construction mayhem.

It would be nice if traffic cams on the bridges could be added to the NS highway webcam site. Given that we don' have any city traffic cams it would be a good addition.

[Keith P.]

Considering that the roads in HRM that NS TIR is responsible for cannot even get potholes repaired and lines repainted in a timely manner, good luck. We all like to dump on HRM for their neglect of certain basic services but they are a model of responsiveness when compared to the province, where TIR's neglect and seeming lack of urgency to fix things is truly shameful.

[JET]

Originally Posted by fenwick16

On a somewhat related topic, there was a story in the allnovascotia.com that there was a large dumpster in front of the NFB building that was blocking the sidewalk. Has this been remedied? Apparently the builder is bickering with the city over the issue; in this case the builder needs to do whatever is necessary to remedy the situation, not bicker with the city.

Sort of have to wonder why they need a dumpster; since it's an empty shell, a small garbage can should suffice.

[fenwick16]

Originally Posted by JET

Sort of have to wonder why they need a dumpster; since it's an empty shell, a small garbage can should suffice.

They might need something a bit bigger. However, couldn't they just use a couple small 2 yards dumpsters and have them emptied daily? They are only 3 feet wide; something this size x two or even three dumpsters https://www.wm.com/_ui/img/landing/2-yard-dumpster.jpg .