Macdonald Bridge closed overnight owing to unstable crane, 12 Dartmouth homes evacuated

The Angus L. Macdonald Bridge will be closed overnight due to a construction crane that is at risk of falling, leading to evacuations in nearby homes and businesses. The crane, located near Faulkner Street in Dartmouth, raised concerns when a supervisor from a construction site reported its instability to authorities.

Halifax Regional Police, along with the Department of Labour, quickly responded to the situation. Engineers and inspectors discovered that some of the supports were not properly connected to the main frame of the crane, posing a risk of it twisting and collapsing. As a precautionary measure, homes and businesses in the vicinity were evacuated, and Halifax Harbour Bridges announced the closure of the Macdonald Bridge through the night, with the possibility of it remaining shut down into Friday morning.

The decision to close the bridge was made to ensure the safety of commuters and residents in the area. A company was called in to weld the crane and make it more stable. The areas around Faulkner Street, Lyle Street, and Wyse Road were closed off, with Dawson Street being reopened except for 12 homes that were to remain evacuated overnight.

The affected residents, including those from 48, 50, 52 Lyle St., 11-16 Faulkner St., and 16-20 Dawson St., were assisted by the Canadian Red Cross. Additionally, a commercial property at 66 Lyle St. and the Halifax Bridge Commission at 30 Faulkner St. were also under the evacuation order.

Residents of Faulkner Street were informed that they would need to remain out of their homes until a collar is installed to aid in the removal of the crane. The plan, according to Deputy Fire Chief Dave Meldrum, is to dismantle the crane on Friday. Updates on the situation can be found on Halifax Harbour Bridges’ social media channels as the situation progresses.