Halifax’s busiest bridge to close for 2 straight weekends. Traffic headaches to follow

Those travelling across the Halifax Harbour over the next two weekends can expect a lengthier commute, as the 53-year-old MacKay Bridge will be closed for repairs.

Those travelling across the Halifax Harbour over the next two weekends can expect a lengthier commute, as the 53-year-old MacKay Bridge will be closed as it undergoes critical repairs.

In a release published on Tuesday, Halifax Harbour Bridges (HHB) said the weekend work will see the replacement of two 10,000-kilogram deck sections after recent inspections discovered the cracking of steel plates in the identified areas.

As a result, the first bridge closure will begin on Friday, Nov 24. at 7 p.m. and wrap up the following Monday at 5:30 a.m. After five days of being opened back to the public, the bridge will then re-close on Friday, Dec. 1 at 7 p.m. for the second phase of repairs and re-open to traffic on Monday, Dec. 4, at 5:30 a.m.

Tim Rissesco, CEO of the Downtown Dartmouth Business Commission, said he hopes the bridge closures won’t have a major impact on the area’s annual Christmas tree lighting on Dec. 2.

“What I fear is that when people hear a bridge is closed, it deters them from going out,” he said, adding that despite the disruptions, he recognizes the importance of maintaining both bridges.

“On the other side, (it) happening during the holiday season is tough for business.”

The construction is expected to cause some interference to traffic flowing to and from the peninsula, most notably during the annual Parade of Lights which is scheduled to take place Saturday evening in Halifax.

On the other side of the harbour, Paul Mackinnon, CEO of the Downtown Halifax Business Commission, said although he’s confident the bridge closure won’t negatively affect the parade turnout too severely, he hopes enough will be done to inform people about the potential traffic disruptions.