Significant changes are on the way for downtown Halifax.

A new transit hub is coming to Barrington Street that should affect thousands of people.

HRM says it will be a six-month project that when finished will include heated shelters, more seating, a layover space and wider sidewalks.

It also means four bus stops at Scotia Square will be relocated:

• Granville Street before Duke Street (Bay 1)
• Barrington Street before George Street (Bay 2)
• Albemarle Street before Duke Street (Bay 3)
• Barrington Street before Prince Street (Bay 4)

These changes will affect about 30 routes and is all part of the work being done on the Cogswell District project.

The Cogswell project is a multi-year initiative and expected to cost $120 million to build and add green spaces and a new place for hundreds of people to call home with planned residential projects.

Road closures

The city says in order to continue work, there will also be significant road closures.

Barrington Street, from Upper Water Street to Duke Street, will be fully closed.

Access to Hotel Halifax will be from a new driveway off Cogswell Street.

Access for loading and deliveries has been coordinated with abutting property owners.

A section of the new Cogswell Street will be temporarily connected to Barrington Street at Upper Water Street.

This will allow for the re-opening of Albermarle Street and will reconnect a key east-west corridor downtown.

Work begins June 17, to be finished by the end of the year.