Cogswell Interchange project gets new director, John Spinelli

Halifax's Cogswell Interchange redevelopment is one big step closer to getting underway now that someone has been put in charge of the project.

John Spinelli took the job of project director this fall, and a long road lies ahead before the redesign is complete.

The demolition of the network of overpasses on the edge of downtown and construction of a new street grid to replace it could cost $64 million over four years. Detailed cost estimates by designers have not yet been completed.

The sale of land parcels to developers would take place for at least a decade after the preparation work is done.

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Here are three things to know about Spinelli:

1. He's originally from Dartmouth

Spinelli graduated from Prince Andrew High School. His family members and closest friends still live in the area. In 2000, he moved away for work. He says he didn't know about the Cogswell project until he was contacted by local recruiting firms.

"It's great to be back into a place I'm so familiar with and have an opportunity to actually change the face of it," Spinelli said.

"I'm extremely happy to be back home to work on a project of this significance."

2. He's worked in Fort McMurray

Like many Maritimers,Spinelli hasworked in Fort McMurray, Alta., where he oversaw the construction of the $440-million Suncor Voyageur Village Accomodation Complex from May 2006 to December 2008.

3. He's managed big-city projects

Spinelli's last job was as manager of construction for the Union Station revitalization program in Toronto from October 2009 to August 2015.

The project, which cost $1.8 billion, involved the renovation of a 100-year-old heritage train station during which Spinelli coordinated with both transit and train companies.

That experience will be key in managing traffic flow through the Cogswell Interchange during demolition and street reconstruction.

"There's not a lot of alternatives there, so we have to get creative," Spinelli said.