Release:

The Halifax Regional Municipality is announcing the start of Phase 2 construction of the Windsor Street Exchange project, as elected officials, municipal staff and project partners gathered today to mark this significant milestone and provide project details.

During the event held at the municipality’s Mackintosh Street operations depot within the Windsor Street Exchange project area, representatives from the municipality, the Province of Nova Scotia and project partners, spoke about the importance of the project as it moves from early preparatory work into the main construction phase.

Phase 1 work, which has been underway since fall 2025, supported the overall project schedule, focused on early and enabling works such as detour roads, retaining walls, underground utilities, site preparation and foundation activities. Phase 2 builds on this work and includes the core construction elements of the project.

Phase 2 construction includes:

• A new overpass structure improving regional travel by enabling more efficient, uninterrupted movement between the Bedford Highway and Highway 111/the MacKay Bridge
• Reconfigured intersections at key locations, including Bedford Highway, Windsor Street and Lady Hammond Road, to enhance safety and reduce congestion
• A new link road between Bayne Street and Lady Hammond Road, creating better local connections and improving network efficiency
• A new exit to Bayne Street to improve access to the Port of Halifax facility and enhance a vital regional trade corridor
• New and upgraded signalized intersections to improve traffic flow and support safer travel for all road users
• Halifax Water infrastructure renewal and upgrades to enhance service reliability and support long-term system capacity

“There are few infrastructure projects more important to Halifax’s future than the Windsor Street Exchange,” said Mayor Andy Fillmore. “This project is about keeping people, goods and our economy moving. It will improve traffic flow, strengthen transit reliability, enhance access to the Port of Halifax, and support one of Atlantic Canada’s most important trade and transportation corridors.

As Halifax continues to grow and play an even greater role in Canada’s economy and defence sector, we need infrastructure that can support that growth. The Windsor Street Exchange will help ensure our region is ready for the opportunities ahead, while creating the infrastructure capacity needed to support new housing and economic growth.

This is what city-building infrastructure looks like: governments and partners working together to deliver the long-term investments that keep our region competitive, connected and ready for the future.”

The Windsor Street Exchange project is one of the municipality’s largest transportation infrastructure investments, with an estimated total cost of $180 million. It is funded through a partnership between the Halifax Regional Municipality, the Government of Canada, the Province of Nova Scotia, Halifax Water and the Halifax Port Authority. The municipality is contributing $85.75 million and Halifax Water is contributing $60 million through their respective approved capital budgets. Transport Canada is contributing $23.5 million through the National Trade Corridors Fund, reflecting the project’s importance to regional trade and goods movement. The Province of Nova Scotia is contributing $10.75 million and the Halifax Port Authority is contributing $2 million.

“The Windsor Street Exchange Project is an important investment that will improve safety, reduce travel times, and support a key trade corridor that is critical for the future economic prosperity of Nova Scotia and all of Canada,” said The Honourable Fred Tilley, Minister of Public Works for the Province of Nova Scotia. “This project, like others we are advancing under the Regional Transportation Plan, will play a significant role in transforming our regional transportation system. Reaching Phase 2 is an important milestone, and I want to congratulate everyone involved.

The project is being delivered using a progressive design-build approach, which allows design and construction planning to advance together. This model improves cost certainty, manages risk and allows flexibility as construction progresses.

With Phase 2 construction now underway. Major construction is expected to continue through 2029, with substantial completion anticipated in summer 2029 and full project completion expected later that year.

“Efficient transportation networks are essential to connecting Canadian businesses with domestic and international markets,” said The Honourable Steven MacKinnon, Minister of Transport and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons. The Windsor Street Exchange project will improve access to the Port of Halifax, strengthen a vital trade corridor, and help ensure the reliable movement of goods throughout Atlantic Canada and beyond. Investments like this one help build a safer, more efficient transportation system that supports economic growth, creates opportunities for businesses, and keeps our supply chains strong.”

Once complete, the Windsor Street Exchange project will improve traffic flow and safety, enhance reliability for transit riders, create better connections for people walking, rolling and cycling, and support goods movement and port access in the Halifax region.

Traffic impacts during construction will be managed through detours, staging and advance coordination. The municipality will continue to share updates through public service announcements, the project webpage and social media.

For more information about the Windsor Street Exchange project, including construction updates, visit: halifax.ca/WSE