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

The Angus L. Macdonald Bridge will remain closed overnight with evacuations in place at nearby homes and businesses due to an unstable construction crane that's at risk of falling.

The crane is located near Faulkner Street in Dartmouth, said Halifax Regional Police in a news release Thursday afternoon.

In an update to social media early Thursday evening, Halifax Harbour Bridges said the Macdonald Bridge would be closed through the night and could remain shut down Friday morning.

"There are no assurances it will reopen for the morning rush hour, please keep an eye on our social media channel for updates," the Facebook post read.

Roy Hollett, the deputy chief of Halifax Regional Fire and Emergency, told CBC News that a supervisor from a construction site where a multi-storey building is being built called with concerns about the stability of a crane.

"In a very quick time period, the Department of Labour was here, various engineers and inspectors found ... some of the supports are not connected to the main frame, that's what was explained to me, and [they were] concerned that the crane could twist and fall," said Hollett.

Hollett said that's when the decision was made to evacuate homes and businesses in the area and direct Halifax Harbour Bridges to close the bridge as a precaution. A company was welding the crane to make it more stable, he said.

Halifax Regional Police was assisting the Department of Labour at the scene.

In an update Thursday at 7:15 p.m. AT, police said the areas around Faulkner Street, Lyle Street and Wyse Road would remain closed until further notice.

Dawson Street was reopened, but 12 homes would remain evacuated overnight, including:

The Canadian Red Cross was assisting fewer than 20 affected residents, the release said. 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 expected to remain out of their homes until a collar is installed to assist in the removal of the crane, the release said.

Dave Meldrum, another deputy fire chief at Halifax Regional Fire and Emergency, told CBC News the plan is to dismantle the crane Friday.