Federal Government, Halifax Partner On $6.4M Flood Protection Upgrades In Cole Harbour

The federal government, the Halifax Regional Municipality, and Halifax Water are making a combined investment of $6.4 million to strengthen stormwater management in the Upper Bissett Run watershed, with the goal of reducing the risk of road closures and limiting basement and backyard flooding for homes in the area. The work is focused on practical flood protection measures in a part of Cole Harbour that has faced pressure during heavy rainfall events, and officials say the upgrades will help the community handle high-intensity storms more safely while reducing property damage linked to surface water flooding.

The project includes multiple construction and restoration components, starting with the decommissioning of existing stormwater piping and an upgrade to a culvert at Cole Harbour Road and Bissett Run. A key feature of the plan is the “daylighting” of a section of Upper Bissett Run, which means opening up and restoring the waterway into a natural watercourse rather than keeping it confined underground. Alongside the restoration work, a new community pocket park is also planned at the bank of the newly daylighted section at Cole Harbour Road, adding a public green space to the neighborhood while the flood mitigation upgrades are completed.

Once the project is finished, governments involved say residents in the surrounding area will have stronger protection against flooding tied to intense rainfall, particularly basement and backyard flooding that can cause costly damage and disrupt daily life. Beyond the immediate local improvements, the release also points to the broader financial value of adaptation investments, noting that each dollar invested in preparing for climate-related disasters can return an estimated $13 to $15 in benefits over time. Officials framed the project as part of a wider push to build infrastructure that can perform under more frequent and more severe weather patterns.

Dartmouth–Cole Harbour MP Darren Fisher said restoring natural watercourses is important for protecting the community from severe weather, and he emphasized the role of daylighting and restoring Bissett Run as a way to lower flood risks for residents in the Cole Harbour Commons area. Halifax Mayor Andy Fillmore also highlighted the importance of climate-ready infrastructure, saying stormwater improvements help ensure growth remains sustainable and resilient while safeguarding homeowners, families, and businesses. Funding for the project includes $2.56 million from the federal government through the Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund, $2,819,999 from the Halifax Regional Municipality, and $1,020,001 from Halifax Water. The federal government said that since 2018 it has committed more than $3.8 billion to the fund, with over $3 billion announced for more than 120 projects aimed at helping communities withstand natural disasters and prevent infrastructure failures.