Windsor Street exchange redesign moves ahead despite rising cost, transit concerns

After years of planning, Halifax is moving ahead with changes to the Windsor Street exchange to improve traffic flow, but the projected cost is rising and councillors are asking for bus lanes to be worked into the design.

On Tuesday, regional council green-lit the high-level plan that staff said improves traffic for everyone, and allows cyclists and pedestrians to more safely pass through the area, which handles around 110,000 vehicles a day.

The project began in 2021 when the federal government announced $23 million to address the traffic bottleneck, while specifically helping trucks get in and out of the Fairview Cove container terminal more easily.

"Anything is better than what's there now, so this is great work, with some possible changes that I think could improve it," said Coun. Lindell Smith.

A key change allows for free-flowing traffic between the Bedford Highway and the MacKay Bridge, bypassing the main intersection.

Drivers heading from the peninsula to Bedford would use a new underpass between Lady Hammond Road and Bayne Street. Direct access to the Bedford Highway would be removed from Windsor Street, which would only connect to Highway 111 bound for the MacKay Bridge or Lady Hammond.

A second outbound lane would be added to the exit ramp from Bedford Highway to Joseph Howe Drive. A set of traffic lights would be added to the ramp from Joseph Howe Drive to the exchange and Bedford Highway to better control traffic flow and protect people walking or cycling.

The city is also asking Transport Canada to extend its deadline for project completion to the end of 2027 so Halifax can still collect the original $23 million. Staff said the project area was greatly expanded to take into account nearby areas that affected the Windsor Street exchange.

The costs jumped because of this expansion, inflation, and Halifax Water upgrades to handle planned density in the area. The original $50-million price tag is now $103.8 million. 

Halifax is covering the difference, bringing the city's cost from $10 million to $67 million — which is 65 per cent of the project. The city was originally paying 23 per cent.

Staff said they would explore sharing the cost with other levels of government, but nothing has been finalized.

"We somehow have to figure a way with provincial and federal governments so that we don't get stuck paying for all the [costs]," said Mayor Mike Savage.

"It may not be as good a deal now … but it's something we need."

A staff report said the new design increases vehicle traffic by about 1,200 vehicles, or 12 per cent, during peak morning hours and by 800, or 8 per cent, in the afternoon. That would help better handle the city's growing population, the report said, which is expected to result in 30-40 per cent more traffic demand by 2031.