Work wraps on excavation phase of Halifax Infirmary expansion

Construction work on the QEII Halifax Infirmary acute care tower has reached a new milestone, with the Nova Scotia government celebrating the completion of the excavation phase.

The province says crews have been working at the site since May 2024, digging out 543,000 tonnes of earth and rock as the site progresses.

Structures were also demolished and removed from the area, such as a former parkade near the main entrance.

Now that the excavation phase is done the work is expected to shift toward putting the foundation in place and starting the mechanical and electrical parts of the project.

The area is also home to one of the tallest free-standing cranes in North America, aiding teams to focus on the completion.

The government says the facility is expected to open to patients in 2031.

“When complete, the new acute care tower will add 216 beds, 16 operating rooms, a 48-bed intensive care unit and an emergency department that is nearly twice the size of the current one,” the press release reads.

The total estimated cost is expected to be $7.4 billion.

The cost estimate under the agreement with Plenary PCL Health, includes $4.5 billion to construct the tower at the Halifax Infirmary and $2.9 billion over 30 years to operate and maintain the new building.

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