Vital Halifax Port gets $1.5B for major terminal projects

HALIFAX — A 100-meter expansion of Halterm’s south-end container terminal berth as well as work at Richmond Terminals, near the A. Murray MacKay Bridge, were among several Atlantic Gateway projects targeted for government infrastructure funding.

Also included in the Halterm work is improved cargo-handling efficiencies, particularly upgrades of the truck marshalling yard (including reconfiguration of the approach road and terminal gate complex) as well as further deepening of the berth to 16 metres, reports the Chronicle Herald.

Nova Scotia MP Peter MacKay and Premier Rodney MacDonald announced that more than $100 million has been earmarked for the Port of Halifax projects,

Other projects that will get some of the cash include the Burnside Connector, which will connect highways 107 and 102 to the industrial park and a transshipment facility; improvements at the highway interchange in Truro connecting highways 104 and 102; upgrades to Highway 344 in support of the proposed Melford container terminal; and business development and marketing initiatives to promote gateway ports and facilities, according to the newspaper.

The Richmond Terminals project would include extending the berth and work to enable a roll-on, roll-off facility and enhanced heavy-lift capabilities.

Meanwhile, a Halifax Port Authority report released this week shows that the port and port-related industries, such as trucking and rail, contribute more than $1.5 billion to the local economy.

Specifically, long-haul and local trucking activity kicks in $160 million and rail business adds another $170 million, states the report.