The Windsor Street Exchange Redevelopment Project
Project overview
The Windsor Street Exchange redevelopment project involves the redesign of the intersection of Bedford Highway, Windsor Street and Lady Hammond Road. As one of five roadway access points to the Halifax Peninsula and the downtown core, approximately 48,000 vehicles per day travel through this area, and the Windsor Street Exchange is currently operating above its available capacity during peak travel periods. The goals of the project are to add active transportation connections and transit priority measures through the intersection, improve the movement of vehicles and goods through the area, and improve the safety for all road users.
Background
The Halifax Regional Municipality, in partnership with the Province of Nova Scotia and the Port of Halifax, submitted a proposal to redevelop the Windsor Street Exchange to the National Trade Corridors Fund (NTCF). Transport Canada evaluated projects on specific trade-related criteria, as well as the extent to which a project would add capacity or address bottlenecks near major ports, airports, or along road and rail corridors in Canada that contribute to generating or increasing overseas trade.
A concept for the Windsor Street Exchange redevelopment was submitted to Transport Canada in May 2019. The concept confirmed that a reconfiguration of the transportation network could meet the goals of the NTCF program, and on June 2, 2019, the Minister for Transport announced that the Windsor Street Exchange project, along with a complementary project by the Port of Halifax, had been approved.
On August 13, 2019, when authorizing the contribution agreement with Transport Canada, Regional Council directed staff to explore whether community benefits could be part of the selection of a preferred concept.
Project status
Two design options had been developed for the project based on an assessment of the existing conditions, expected future transportation and land uses in the area, feedback from public and stakeholder engagement, and overall project objectives. Phase 1 of public engagement was held in April/May 2021 (report available here) and Phase 2 was held in October/November 2021 (report available here).
This is a very challenging and unique project – there are several important objectives that the project intends to achieve and significant physical and operational constraints that influence how these objectives can be met. The project team determined that a value engineering study that would evaluate the design options and assess potential design alternatives should be completed before selected a final functional design. This study was conducted in early 2023 and the recommendations resulting from the study are now being further assessed and evaluated.
The project team is working on developing a final recommended design option to present to Regional Council by the end of 2023, with a final design ready in 2024. Construction is expected to take two to three years, and is expected to begin in 2025. Further status updates will be provided throughout the design process.
Next steps
The project team is working on a final functional design to recommend to Regional Council by the end of 2023, which will incorporate previously gathered feedback, recommendations from the Value Engineering Study, and further assessment and evaluation of alternate design options. Details of the recommended functional design will be shared on this page and in the report to Regional Council. Future public engagement will present preliminary design drawings, as well as share details on the remaining project schedule and expected construction timelines.
The project team has been exploring the potential of including community benefits as part of the project. Due to the proximity of the project to the historic Africville community, community meetings will be held with the Africville community to identify concerns and opportunities associated with the project. The Mi'kmaq are the founding people of Nova Scotia, and meetings will be held with the Mi’kmaq and Urban Indigenous communities to identify opportunities with the project.
How can I participate in the Windsor Street Exchange redevelopment project?
Phase 1 of public engagement was conducted in spring 2021. You can watch the recorded virtual Open House and read the ‘What We Heard’ Report. The feedback heard during this engagement was used to develop two design concepts.
Phase 2 of public engagement was held in October and November 2021. The project team shared concept design options, and gathered feedback that will be used in making design decisions. You can watch a video sharing the project background and concept design options, watch a recording of the virtual open house, or read the ‘What We Heard’ Report.
Future opportunities will present preliminary design drawings, detailed design considerations as well as share details on the remaining project schedule and expected construction timelines.
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Take Survey
Welcome to the online survey for the Windsor Street Exchange Redevelopment Project. This engagement phase will share concept design options for the project and gather feedback from the public and stakeholders. Along with other considerations such as efficiency, cost, and impacts to different transportation modes, feedback from the public will be used to help the project team determine the preferred option (Option A or Option B). The project team will then refine the preferred option and we expect to hold the next phase of public engagement in Spring of 2022 to gather feedback from stakeholders and the public on the preliminary design.
The primary objective of this project is to improve the functionality of the Windsor Street Exchange, recognizing there are many demands on the intersection and surrounding area, including the movement of people and goods in cars, trucks, buses, and on bikes, on foot, and using mobility devices. Two concept design options have been developed for the project; please watch this video on the concept designs prior to completing this survey.
The municipality is simultaneously working on a project to provide active transportation connections between the Africville National Historic Site and the rest of Peninsular Halifax. The primary objective of this project is to provide safe and comfortable access for people walking, biking, or using mobility devices to the National Historic Site. HRM will be considering this project throughout the evolution of the Windsor Street Exchange Redevelopment.
The below image shows the study area for the Windsor Street Exchange project.
An aerial photo of the study area which extends from Bedford Highway at the Fairview Overpass, up Windsor Street to Strawberry Hill Street, up Lady Hammond Road to Mackintosh Street, and includes Bayne and Mackintosh Streets.Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link -
Take Survey
Welcome to the online survey for the Windsor Street Exchange Redevelopment Functional Plan. A functional plan is the first step in a street or intersection redesign and will result in conceptual drawings that guide the vision for the street. It will also recommend changes to how the street looks and functions, such as the allocation of space for vehicles and goods movement, transit, walking, rolling, biking, on the street, and how the different modes interact. After a functional plan is completed, the municipality works on more detailed plans, where a vision for the street is determined.
The primary objective of this project is to improve the functionality of the Windsor Street Exchange, recognizing there are many demands on the intersection and surrounding area, including the movement of people and goods in cars, trucks, buses, and on bikes, on foot, and using mobility devices.
The municipality is simultaneously working on a project to provide active transportation connections between the Africville National Historic Site and the rest of Peninsular Halifax. The primary objective of this project is to provide safe and comfortable access for people walking, biking, or using mobility devices to the Africville National Historic Site. The municipality will be considering this active transportation project throughout the evolution of the Windsor Street Exchange Redevelopment Functional Plan, and Phase 2 of public engagement will be integrated with the active transportation project to accept feedback on both projects, due to their geographic proximity.
At this stage in the project, the municipality is collecting feedback from the community on how individuals want to travel through the Windsor Street Exchange now and in the future.
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Concept Design Presentation - Video
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Two concept design options have been developed for the Windsor Street Exchange redevelopment project, which consider the existing conditions within the project area, how residents travel through the area and the overall project goals. The project team is looking for feedback from the public on the concept design options. This video shares a project overview and the concept design options.
Virtual Open House Video - October 2021
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Miss the virtual open house? Here's the video from the virtual session held on Wednesday, October 27 from 6-8 pm. Get some background information on the project and view traffic flows for both options.
Two concept design options have been developed for the Windsor Street Exchange redevelopment project, which consider the existing conditions within the project area, how residents travel through the area and the overall project goals. The project team is looking for feedback from the public on the concept design options. This video includes a project overview and the concept design options.
Phase 1 Virtual Public Meeting - April 29, 2021
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Here's the video from the virtual public meeting, held on Thursday, April 29, 2021, to talk about improvements to the Windsor Street Exchange. Thanks to everyone who participated.
Windsor Street Exchange - Africville Community Consultation - Videos
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See what is proposed for the Windsor Street Exchange and consultation with the Africville community. Topics include the project background, potential Active transportation links, options for Halifax Transit, Port of Halifax updates, and an overview of the changes coming to the municipal depot on Mackintosh Street.
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View the video from the Windsor Street Exchange Redevelopment Project & Africville Community Consultation Meeting #1. Public consultation with the Africville community to identify potential opportunities to include community benefits as part of the Windsor Street Exchange Redevelopment project.
Please excuse some of the transitions and pauses in the video. We were working through some technical challenges and were often quiet while waiting for questions to be submitted. Thanks for your patience.
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View the video from the Windsor Street Exchange Redevelopment Project & Africville Community Consultation Meeting #2. Public consultation with the Africville community to identify potential opportunities to include community benefits as part of the Windsor Street Exchange Redevelopment project.