The only real certainty is that workers are scheduled to begin removing Halifax's infamous collapsed crane on Sunday.
And that more Halifax residents are being evacuated to make way for the carnage cleanup.
Halifax Regional Fire and Emergency have ordered residents in 11 additional units at the Trillium condo building to vacate the building by 6 a.m. Sunday as a necessary safety precaution, Transportation Minister Lloyd Hines said Friday.
But that’s about as much detail as Hines, whose department is in charge of the cleanup, or Premier Stephen McNeil would divulge. More than a month has passed since the crane toppled, forcing the evacuation of business owners and residential tenants.
Neither McNeil nor Hines could offer a cost estimate associated with the crane’s removal after being hounded all week by opposition MLAs to produce one. The province has also been unable to provide a timeline for when the cleanup might be completed.
Hines said that the crane’s removal is weather dependent and hinted at potential factors that could hinder the cleanup.
“It depends on what we find,” said Hines. “It’s undefined territory. It’s very complex circumstance and we really are going to take whatever time it is we need to take to get it done safely.
“We’re moving into an another phase, the first phase was to secure and stabilize the tower… and now we’re going start the actual removal which involves more equipment in the area.”
A localized state of emergency declared on Sept. 18 remains in effect in the city block within the boundaries of South Park Street, and bordered by Brenton Street, Brenton Place and Spring Garden Road.
The crane, which fell on a building under construction during hurricane Dorian on Sept. 7, has been secured by 26 anchor points using cable, chains and structural steel.
During Friday’s question period at Province House, Conservative MLA Allan MacMaster pressed the premier about the potential cleanup cost, pointing to 11 buildings being at risk. McNeil couldn’t answer the question, but said “we will go after insurance companies to ensure that we recoup the money that’s required.”
The crane is owned by Lead Structural Form Ltd, while developer, Wadih Fares, owns the site. The province took on the responsibility for paying for the cleanup costs and it’s not clear if or when the developer or crane owner will have to foot the bill.
MacMaster took a shot at McNeil and the province’s lack of transparency on the file, saying it looks weak and erodes public trust in the government.
Harbourside Engineering Consultants and R&D Crane Operator Limited and their subcontractors, hired by the provincial government to remove the crane, are to receive protection against claims of damage that may result from their work.
RELATED:
