Halifax Harbour Bridges (HHB) advises the travelling public that, weather permitting,
deck segment replacement on the Macdonald Bridge should be complete late January or early February.
“The contractor is replacing segments on the Halifax side span, which is over DND property. It is
significantly more complicated than when working over water and is greatly affected by high winds,”
explains Jon Eppell, HHB project manager for the Big Lift. “Weather permitting the contractor should
complete this portion of the project late January or early February.” This is one month to six weeks later
than previously anticipated. The Macdonald Bridge will be open the weekends of Christmas and New
Year’s.
Sidewalk and bike lane
The sidewalk and bike lane are now scheduled to reopen mid to late March 2017. The HHB shuttle
service will continue to operate until the sidewalk and bikeway reopens. “We acknowledge the patience
of pedestrians and cyclists throughout the project and appreciate that they are eager to return to
walking or biking across the bridge,” says Steve Snider, HHB general manager and CEO. “We are just as
eager, and if possible, we will open the sidewalk and bike lane sooner – as soon as it is safe to do so.”
Some of the work that needs to take place includes: complete deck segment replacement, weld the
joints between the segments, install sidewalk and bike lane pieces around the towers and complete the
barriers.
Closures
· Weekend closures will continue until segment replacement is complete
· Full weekend closures will end once all segments are replaced, with the exception of
approximately four in 2017
· Overnight closures 7:00pm – 5:30am Sunday-Thursday will continue until project completion
Revised schedule
The project is still on schedule to be complete by the fall of 2017
· Segment replacement complete – late January or early February 2017
· Complete profile raising for vessel clearance – January 2017
· Sidewalk/bikeway reopen mid to late March 2017
· Finish paving the Halifax side span – Spring 2017
· Replace expansion joints – Summer 2017
· Project completion – Fall 2017
.
Source: Media Release