Thursday, January 29, 2026
The government of Canada, Halifax Regional Authority and Halifax Water are putting a combined $6.4 million towards improved stormwater management within the Upper Bissett Run watershed.
The project will decommission existing stormwater piping and upgrade a culvert at Cole Harbour Road and Bissett Run, a Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada release said.
A section of Upper Bissett Run will also be exposed and restored as a natural watercourse through a process known as daylighting and a new community pocket park will be created at the bank of the new daylighted section of Upper Bissett Run at Cole Harbour Road.
“Investing in climate-ready infrastructure is critical. By strengthening stormwater systems, we can ensure growth is sustainable and resilient. These investments safeguard families, homeowners, and businesses – building communities that thrive for generations to come,” Halifax Regional Municipality mayor Andy Fillmore said.
“I know how important restoring natural watercourses is for Dartmouth–Cole Harbour, especially when it comes to protecting our community from severe weather. That’s why we’re investing to help HRM daylight and restore this section of Bissett Run, reducing the risk of flooding for residents in the Cole Harbour Commons area. It shows how governments can work together to better protect people and their homes from climate change and natural disasters,” Dartmouth-Cole Harbour MP Darren Fisher added.
Once completed, the release said, area residents will have better protection against damage from surface water flooding and residential basement and backyard flooding associated with high intensity rainfall events, along with more green space.
The federal government is investing $3.56 million under the Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund while the Halifax Regional Municipality is contributing $2,819,999 with an additional $1,020,001 from Halifax Water.
