Halifax Infirmary’s acute care tower to open in 2031, will cost $7.4 billion

Halifax Infirmary’s acute care tower is expected to be completed by 2031 and cost $7.4 billion.

A major expansion to the QEII Halifax Infirmary will provide more beds, operating rooms, and a larger emergency department.

The expansion will see a new, modern, 14-floor acute care tower with 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 province says it will also have state-of-the-art equipment, a satellite diagnostic imaging department in the emergency department, new and upgraded lab spaces and additional treatment spaces.

“This is an exciting milestone for the future of health care in our province. This is the largest health-care infrastructure project ever undertaken in Atlantic Canada,” said Health and Wellness Minister Michelle Thompson in a news release Wednesday.

“It will ensure generations of Nova Scotians get the cutting-edge care they deserve, provide a modern workplace for the dedicated staff at the QEII, and help us attract and hire the health-care staff we need.”

Some health services currently delivered at the QEII Victoria General site will move to new and renovated spaces at the Halifax Infirmary site when it opens.

“This is another transformative step forward for Nova Scotia Health. The QEII Halifax Infirmary’s new acute care tower will decrease wait times and improve access to care for all Nova Scotians,” said Karen Oldfield, interim president and CEO of Nova Scotia Health.

The contract for the redevelopment project with Plenary PCL Health is for construction and 30-year maintenance. The total project cost between now and 2061 is pegged at $7.4 billion.

It’s estimated about 900 people will be working on the project at its peak. Approximately 400 of those will need to be brought into the province and housed – likely in a hotel, which is all factored into the cost.

“It’s mostly to compliment just trade scopes that don’t have enough workers to meet the pace at which we need to build this,” said Paul Knowles with PCL Construction.

“And pace is important and schedule is super important.”

The province says cranes will be set up and foundation work will begin in May.

The hospital expansion is expected to be complete and open to patients and providers in the fall of 2031.

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