Halifax to overhaul Windsor Street exchange after council reverses course

Halifax council has reversed a decision to scrap the redesign of the Windsor Street exchange, and the major intersection will be overhauled starting this year.

On Tuesday, councillors approved the original plan they rejected in January as a first phase of the project. The design hasn't changed and will see new free-flowing traffic between the Bedford Highway and the MacKay Bridge, bypassing a reconstructed main intersection. 

It includes an inbound dedicated bus lane in some areas and a new multi-use path for both pedestrians and cyclists.

But municipal staff will also now start planning a second phase of the project that would widen the roadway to accommodate two-way dedicated transit lanes for a future rapid bus route and allow for separate walking and cycling paths. 

Some councillors said this move to start the process for road widening now — and ensure it's considered in Phase 1 work — allowed them to change their minds and move ahead.

"There actually is a real commitment here to transit," said Coun. Sam Austin.

The other new factor is the pending bill that would give the Progressive Conservative government sweeping powers over transit and transportation infrastructure throughout the province.

"Here we are now looking down the barrel of a gun. If we don't approve this project, we're gonna be told to do it anyway," said Coun. David Hendsbee.

Right now there is a pinch point between St. John's Cemetery and the Port of Halifax marshalling yard that prevents two-way bus lanes throughout the intersection in Phase 1.

"I recognize there's some compromises here, but I think what staff have … laid out is a really good path forward," said Coun. Patty Cuttell.

"We're living in a city that's hundreds of years old, working within some very tight constraints and trying to come up with solutions to make things better."

Megan Soroka, program manager for the project, said the Port of Halifax is open to talking about the city taking about 11 metres of its land, which it leases from the province. She said staff aren't looking at expanding into the cemetery.

"I think that this is an absolute win for the municipality. I think that it's a win for the Port of Halifax. This is a solid path forward and we should be really pleased with where we are," Coun. Nancy Hartling told reporters outside the meeting.

Soroka said more analysis in the coming years might reveal an alternative route for the rapid bus line without the Windsor Street exchange, which could avoid the need for widening.

The federal and provincial governments committed a combined $34.2 million to the project when it was announced in 2019. The funding hinged on improving traffic flow for trucks headed to the Fairview Cove container terminal.

The original $47-million project total had Halifax's share at $10 million. That has now jumped to a $150-million project total, with HRM making up the difference — bringing the city's share to $53.7 million.

Halifax Water has also joined as a partner and is pitching in about $60 million. Staff said the utility must do work in the area anyway to accommodate major growth in the Strawberry Hill neighbourhood, so involving them now is cheaper and means fewer road closures.

The second road-widening phase would cost at least another $50 million, but staff said Tuesday they're hopeful the city will get more provincial and federal funds through other programs to cut that number down.

About 170,000 people travel through the exchange each day with 50,000 on buses and 110,000 in vehicles. A staff report said the project will bring a 48.5 per cent improvement in morning traffic delays for people in cars, a 21 per cent transit improvement during rush hours, safer pedestrian crossings, and cycling facilities where none exist now.

Construction is expected to start this summer, with the first phase taking about four years and the entire project likely finishing in 2032.