HALIFAX, N.S. – One of the municipality’s main transportation corridors is set to be redefined for the next three years as the $180-million redevelopment of Halifax’s Windsor Street Exchange moves into a major new phase.
Municipal officials, elected representatives and project partners recently gathered to celebrate the official launch of phase two and discuss the work ahead.
“This is the shift from preparatory work to the main construction program. It will change a major gateway to the Halifax Peninsula and make it better for drivers, transit riders, cyclists and pedestrians. The redevelopment is also expected to improve access to the Halifax Port.
It is one of the biggest investments the municipality has made in transport infrastructure. Funding comes through a partnership of the Halifax Regional Municipality, Halifax Water, federal and provincial governments and the Halifax Port Authority.
Major construction is expected to continue through 2029, with substantial completion expected in the summer of 2029.
“The Windsor Street Exchange is a key piece of infrastructure as we plan for the future growth of the city,” said Halifax Mayor Andy Fillmore.
“There are few pieces of infrastructure more important to Halifax’s future than the Windsor Street Exchange,” said Fillmore. “This project is about people, goods and our economy moving.”
“It will enhance traffic flow, improve transit services, bolster access to the Port of Halifax and support one of Atlantic Canada’s vital trade and transportation corridors,” he said.
“Halifax is growing and taking on a larger role in Canada’s economy and defense sector,” Fillmore said. ‘The city needs transportation infrastructure that can support that growth.
A major transportation hub for the region
Windsor Street Exchange is located at the intersection of Bedford Highway, Windsor Street and Lady Hammond Road, and Highway 111 and the MacKay Bridge.
The Windsor Street intersection sees about 48,000 vehicles daily. The wider project area sees traffic volumes between 92,000 and 110,000 vehicles per day.
Months of preparation work for the larger reconstruction program have been completed by crews before this phase of construction could start.
The first phase, starting in the fall of 2025, was enabling works to support the overall project to keep traffic moving through the area.
That work included the construction of detour roads on Highway 111 and Bayne Street, temporary retaining walls, excavation, utility relocation, site preparation and foundation work. Halifax The water infrastructure was upgraded and long-lead materials were procured ahead of the main construction phase.
New flyover in the epicenter of the redevelopment
The second phase will deliver the primary infrastructure for the redevelopment of the Windsor Street Exchange.
The biggest feature will be a new overpass for more direct and seamless travel between Bedford Highway and Highway 111, with access to and from the MacKay Bridge.
Municipal officials said the corridor is a big source of congestion during peak periods, and sees the most traffic movement.
The phase will also significantly redesign the intersections at Bedford Highway, Windsor Street and Lady Hammond Road.
A new road link will connect Bayne Street and Lady Hammond Road, and a new Bayne Street exit is expected to improve access to port of Halifax facilities.
In addition, the work will include the installation or upgrade of several signalized intersections.
“The redevelopment is not simply about road capacity. Construction will include new sidewalks and multi-use pathways, roadway realignments and major upgrades to water, wastewater and stormwater infrastructure.
Traffic management still a priority
The Windsor Street Exchange is a crucial regional gateway and construction will be carefully phased to minimize disruption for commuters, businesses and surrounding communities.
The municipality will mitigate traffic impacts through detours, lane shifts, phased construction and advance communication with residents and businesses.
Access to properties and businesses will be maintained, to the greatest extent possible, throughout the construction period.
Progressive Design-Build
The project is being delivered under a progressive design-build model, a relatively new procurement method for large municipal infrastructure projects.
Here, design development and construction planning are conducted concurrently, allowing engineers and contractors to further refine the solutions as more information about the site becomes available.
“The model is intended to enhance cost certainty, better manage project risks and provide more flexibility should unexpected site conditions or construction challenges occur,” Halifax said.
The contract was awarded in late 2024 to a design build team led by Dexter Construction Ltd.
Design informed by public consultation
This is the result of years of planning, technical analysis and public consultation.
Using traffic forecasts, projected population and economic growth, future landuse patterns and public input, municipal staff reviewed a number of concepts.
In 2021, engagement sessions were held to discuss current transportation challenges and solutions design.
In 2023 a value engineering review was completed to evaluate alternatives and recommend improvements to increase efficiencies and overall project outcomes.
The functional design presented to the regional council in 2024 took into account public feedback, technical assessments and recommendations from the value-engineering review.
As the project moves through the design-build process, the project team was directed to continue to evaluate enhanced active transportation infrastructure, dedicated transit lanes and future transportation needs.
Phase two of the Windsor Street Exchange redevelopment is now underway, moving from planning and enabling works into the construction phase that will change how vehicles, transit, pedestrians, cyclists and commercial traffic move through one of Halifax’s busiest transportation corridors.
