Halifax to overhaul Windsor Street exchange after council reverses course

Halifax City Council Reverses Decision on Windsor Street Exchange Redesign

Halifax council has made a significant decision to reverse its previous stance on scrapping the redesign of the Windsor Street exchange. The major intersection will now undergo a complete overhaul, with construction set to begin later this year.

In a recent council meeting, councillors approved the original plan that was initially rejected in January as the first phase of the project. The design remains unchanged and will include new free-flowing traffic between the Bedford Highway and the MacKay Bridge, bypassing a reconstructed main intersection. Additionally, an inbound dedicated bus lane will be implemented in certain areas, along with a new multi-use path for pedestrians and cyclists.

However, in a new development, municipal staff will also commence planning for a second phase of the project. This phase will involve widening the roadway to accommodate two-way dedicated transit lanes for a future rapid bus route, as well as separate walking and cycling paths.

The decision to start the process for road widening now, and to ensure its consideration in Phase 1 work, was pivotal in convincing some councillors to change their minds and move forward with the project.

Coun. Sam Austin emphasized the commitment to transit, stating, “There actually is a real commitment here to transit.” The looming bill that would grant the Progressive Conservative government extensive powers over transit and transportation infrastructure in the province also factored into the council’s decision-making process.

One of the current challenges faced in Phase 1 is a pinch point between St. John’s Cemetery and the Port of Halifax marshalling yard, which limits the implementation of two-way bus lanes throughout the intersection. Despite some compromises, councillors are optimistic about the proposed path forward.

Megan Soroka, the program manager for the project, mentioned that discussions with the Port of Halifax are ongoing regarding the possibility of the city acquiring approximately 11 meters of its leased land from the province. She clarified that expanding into the cemetery is not under consideration.

The federal and provincial governments had initially allocated a combined $34.2 million for the project in 2019, with the aim of improving traffic flow for trucks heading to the Fairview Cove container terminal. The total project cost has since increased to $150 million, with Halifax’s share now at $53.7 million. Halifax Water has also joined as a partner, contributing around $60 million to the project.

Construction is expected to commence this summer, with the first phase estimated to take approximately four years to complete. The entire project is projected to finish by 2032, bringing about significant improvements in traffic flow, transit efficiency, pedestrian safety, and cycling infrastructure in the Windsor Street exchange area.