Halifax council scraps overhaul of Windsor Street exchange
Halifax council has made the decision to halt the Windsor Street exchange redesign project, just months before construction was set to begin on the multimillion-dollar initiative that had received support from all three levels of government.
The council voted 8-6 to abandon the project, which was first announced in 2019. Several councillors expressed concerns about the project’s cost and the lack of dedicated bus lanes in the proposed plan. Coun. Shawn Cleary stated, “This is not a worthwhile investment given the skyrocketing costs for us, and us getting not even half of what we need to get out of this intersection.”
The federal and provincial governments had initially committed $34.2 million to the project, with the goal of improving traffic flow for trucks heading to the Fairview Cove container terminal. However, costs have since escalated due to inflation and an expanded scope of the project. The total cost of the project has now jumped to $150 million, with Halifax’s share being $53.7 million.
The proposed redesign aimed to create free-flowing traffic between the Bedford Highway and the MacKay Bridge, including dedicated bus lanes and a multi-use path for pedestrians and cyclists. Some councillors emphasized the importance of dedicated bus lanes to ensure the effectiveness of the planned bus rapid-transit routes.
Despite the decision to abandon the project, there is still a possibility of reconsideration in the future. Coun. David Hendsbee, who supported the project, intends to bring the issue up for discussion at a later council meeting.
The council’s vote to scrap the Windsor Street exchange redesign has raised concerns about the potential impact on traffic congestion and delays in the area. Without the redesign, additional trucks and goods moving through the Port of Halifax may experience worsening congestion and delays.
While the future of the project remains uncertain, the council’s decision reflects the ongoing debate over the balance between cost-effectiveness and the need for infrastructure improvements to support transportation in and around Halifax.
