SYDNEY, N.S. — Construction of the second cruise ship berth for Sydney harbour has been delayed by weather but is within budget, a spokesperson for the Cape Breton Regional Municipality says.
In an emailed statement, Jillian Moore wrote that there was a delay in achieving substantial completion for the second berth “due to weather events and the early onset of lower temperatures, which prohibited placement of the final concrete deck slab.” This time will be made-up over the winter, she added, which will involve installation of final components of the floating mooring system, mooring line gang-way, yard mast lighting, wharf fixtures and final dredge work.
She also noted that work to take place in the spring will involve landscaping and roadway asphalt, and that will be completed well in advance of cruise ship season. The project is expected to come in within budget.
The hearing to determine how much the Cape Breton Regional Municipality will pay for the land where it is building a second cruise ship berth is slated to take place next month. The hearing is set for Feb. 4-7. Should the parties, however, prior to that time reach a settlement, the hearing would not go ahead.
The matter involves the CBRM and two numbered companies — 3060709 Nova Scotia Ltd. and 1588145 Nova Scotia Ltd. — both owned by North Sydney businessman Jerry Nickerson. The hearing is to take place at the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board offices at Summit Place in downtown Halifax. There are no plans to webcast the hearing, but it is open to the public.
The contract for construction of the second berth was awarded to Zutphen Contractors of Southwest Mabou for just over $19 million after the project was scaled back and re-tendered. It is being funded evenly by the CBRM, the province and federal government. The expropriation has occurred and work on the project is underway.
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