News release

State of Emergency Lifted

Emergency Management Office

The removal of the crane and debris at the Olympus building on South Park Street in Halifax is now complete. Based on this work and advice provided by two independent engineering experts, the localized state of emergency was lifted today, Nov. 4.

“Our main objective was to remove the crane as safely as possible so businesses and residents could get their lives back to normal,” said Chuck Porter, Minister responsible for the Emergency Management Office. “We all appreciate how challenging the last eight weeks have been. I want to thank everyone for their understanding and patience.”

Residents and businesses can still expect some disruptions and street closures in the coming days as the municipality repairs damage to South Park and Clyde Streets.

Today, the Department of Labour and Advanced Education also removed the original stop work order on the Olympus and Brenton Suites construction sites. The site is now the developer’s responsibility. A new order was issued today requiring additional documentation before work on the top floors that were damaged by the impact of the crane could resume. Work on other parts of the building can resume. The department will monitor compliance with all workplace and provincial safety standards.

The Labour and Advanced Education inspection of the crane and what factors may have contributed to the collapse remain ongoing.

Quick Facts:

  • the crane collapsed during Hurricane Dorian on Sept. 7
  • the province reviewed independent advice from Harbourside Engineering. The province also reviewed advice provided by Campbell Comeau, contracted by the Olympus building developer
  • the fallen crane was a Potain MDT 268A. It weighed 150,000 pounds
  • the evacuation order displaced residents from 21 units of the Trillium building and several South Park Street businesses

Additional Resources:

Emergency Management Act:
https://nslegislature.ca/sites/default/files/legc/statutes/emergency%20management.pdf

Photos from crane removal: https://novascotia.ca/news/Photos/2019/11/04/

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