Advertisement

Citadel Hill walls set for site's largest masonry project in 10 years

Citadel Hill in Halifax has never been invaded, but it may soon be crawling with workers as it undergoes its largest masonry project in a decade.

Most of the national historic site's south-facing walls are due for a renewal, so Parks Canada has put out a request for tenders seeking companies interested in doing the work.

The federal agency said the lawn and earth supporting some walls at the Halifax Citadel National Historic Site must be excavated before workers can dismantle, straighten and rebuild the structures.

"This is the largest masonry project we've done in the last 10 years," said Jonathan Nash, a project manager with Parks Canada.

Take stones down, then fix wall

Most of the work will involve adding mortar between the stones, Nash said, but for sections where stones have moved or bulges have developed, workers will have to dig and remove the earth to take the pressure off the wall.

"They'll likely have to take down the stones and re-shore up the wall," said Nash.

Part of a $3-billion federal infrastructure commitment to Parks Canada will be used to pay for the project, he said.

The Halifax Citadel National Historic Site is also getting improved pedestrian access, with a new paved path from the Ahern Avenue parking lot and a sidewalk along the northern vehicle ramp from the Cogswell Street roundabout.

Many of the construction projects currently underway will wrap up this year, but Nash said the masonry work will continue for much longer — it's expected to start in October and will continue until March 2018.

Officials say the work should have minimal impact on the visitors. However, a section of excavated dirt and exposed wall may be visible from the road that circles to the top of the hill.

Companies interested in doing the masonry work have until Sept. 16 to submit bids.