Construction Update

September 20, 2005 - Construction Update

The Dartmouth Crossing site has been used for industrial purposes for over 80 years. The site redevelopment will replace two existing quarries, an asphalt plant and a construction and demolition dump with a modern retail and office park incorporating new green spaces and pedestrian-friendly trails.

Preparation of the 196-acre Dartmouth Crossing site (first phase of retail and commercial development) for construction will be completed in three phases.

1) Site Preparation (December 2004 – October 2005)

Activities include:

• environmental screening and remediation
• clearing and mulching of secondary trees
• grubbing
• excavation to grade
• blasting
• relocation of fill and cover material
• construction of building pads (below grade)
• general road and street design
  
   

2) Infrastructure Installation ( October 2005-July 2006)

Activities include:

• establishment of utility corridors
• trenching and underground installation of electrical, water, sewer, and natural gas
• construction of streets, roads and bridges
  
  

3) Above Ground Construction (December 2005 –September 2006)

Activities include:

• construction of buildings (approx. 800,000 SF by Sept. 06)
• paving of streets, roads and parking lots
• installation of curbs and sidewalks
• installation of signage and lighting
• landscaping entire site
  
  

Environmental Mitigation


Throughout its development, Dartmouth Crossing has been very diligent in minimizing the environmental impacts of its development. Upon completion, the re-development will end the run-off from the site that currently results in increased sedimentation of nearby Lake Micmac.

Some initiatives have been to:

• Successfully relocate an osprey nest
• Transplant rare plants from the site to Kejimikujak Park
• Work with DFO to re-establish two brooks on the site (Frenchman’s and Grassy)
• Work with DoE to implement a rigorous water control plan to minimize any water discharge from the site. This plan has consistently met or exceeded DoE guidelines.

Water control activities have included:

• Construction of four on-site retaining ponds
• Directing of all on-site and flow-through water to these ponds
• Installation of a silt curtain in Lake Micmac
• Constant mulching and strawing of exposed areas
• Reducing sediment entering Lake Micmac by 90% (indicated through independent testing).
  
  Rain Event
  September 17-18, 2005
  
  On the weekend of September 17-18, 2005, a significant rain event associated with tropical storm Ophelia resulted in a release of discoloured water from one of the four retaining ponds on site. Water seeped from the bottom of the retaining pond nearest to Hwy 118 and progressed towards Lake Micmac. Although, the silt curtain in Lake Micmac retained much of the silt, discolouration to the adjacent part of the lake occurred.
  
  Working with Department of Environment officials, Dartmouth Crossing contractors have repaired the leak in the retaining pond and will continue to monitor water management issues going forward. Dartmouth Crossing regrets this release and appreciates that local residents and all citizens of HRM value their lakes and parks immensely. Upon completion of the site redevelopment next summer, all water management and sedimentation issues originating from the former Countryview Lands site will cease forever.
  
  Rain Event
  September 20, 2005
  
  Dartmouth Crossing is pleased to report that the rain event during the night of September 20th did not result in any release of any water from the retaining ponds on site.