Emergency repairs mean weekend delays on MacKay Bridge; long-term plan includes $1B replacement – Halifax | 24CA News
At least 60,000 automobiles cross the A. Murray MacKay Bridge in Halifax each day.
The heavy visitors, coupled with being greater than 52 years previous, means upkeep is commonly wanted.
In this case, pressing asphalt repairs are beginning Friday night time.
“The emergency work on the MacKay was required because it’s in a significant situation, particularly when it gets hotter and the asphalt gets softer,” says Steve Proctor, communications supervisor for Halifax Harbour Bridges (HHB).
“So, we were really left with no choice.”
Two lanes will likely be closed to accommodate the asphalt repairs. Crews will work in a single day to attempt to alleviate the visitors impression at busier instances.
“They may be actually done by sunrise (Saturday),” Proctor says.
But there’s a way of urgency to get it carried out rapidly as a result of there’s additionally a lane closure on the older, however extra recently-renovated Angus L. Macdonald Bridge.
The “bikeway” is being resurfaced, throughout which the neighbouring automobile lane is being shuttered.
“It’s been going on for the past week, and hopefully it’ll be done at the end of the weekend,” Proctor says.
$1B substitute plan
Halifax councillor David Hendsbee, who sits on the Halifax Harbour Bridges Commission, says he desires a brand new bridge altogether.
“I’d love to see a third bridge, especially in the south end of Halifax to connect Robie Street to the Circumferential Highway,” he says.
Having three functioning bridges just isn’t an choice being thought-about in the mean time, nevertheless.
“Right now, we’re looking at a replacement of the MacKay Bridge,” he says.
That’s as a result of, regardless of being recognized by many regionally as “the new bridge,” the MacKay Bridge’s lifespan is coming to an finish.
“The MacKay has bigger problems, bigger challenges on a longer-term basis, it’s getting older,” says Proctor. “By 2040, it will need to either be renovated or replaced.”
“We have to look at the replacement of the bridge and hopefully with better lane capacity, ” Hendsbee says.
“Right now, it’s currently a four-lane bridge,” he says. “We’re looking at a maybe six-lane bridge, with dedicated lanes for transit as well as an additional sidewalk and bikeway to be added.”
The value could be greater than $ 1 billion, he says.
“We’re looking at this within a 15-year window,” he says, noting that planning would probably take 5 to seven years.
Hendsbee additionally says digital tolling is coming “to get more seamless movement of traffic on the current bridge structures.”
“But then we have to look at future rate increases for not just electronic tolling, but to get us prepared for the MacKay replacement.”
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