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
Phase 1 of public engagement for the project was held in April/May 2021, and gathered information on the existing conditions within the project area, how residents travel through the area, documented concerns from residents, businesses and property owners in the area, and identified what people want to see in the redesign of the Windsor Street Exchange. The project design consultant, WSP Canada, used this information to develop design options for the project.
Phase 2 of public engagement was held in October/November 2021, and gathered feedback on the concept design options for the project. The feedback gathered will be used to refine the proposed design options and make decisions on the preferred options.
The design process is expected to take two years, with a final design ready in 2023. Construction is expected to take two to three years, and is expected to begin in 2024. Further status updates will be provided throughout the design process.
Next Steps
The project team is working to refine the proposed design options based on feedback gathered from stakeholders and the public. An external Technical Review of the concept design options will provide recommendations to optimize the design, which will influence the selection of a preferred design option. A third round of public engagement will be held in spring 2022 to share the outcome of the second phase of engagement and the technical review. The preferred design option that will be carried forward will be shared, and additional feedback from stakeholders and the public will be gathered.
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 through a summary of questions and answers from the open house. 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 or watch a recording of the virtual open house held on October 27. If you have additional feedback to share with the project team, you can submit your feedback to the project team.
Upcoming Engagement
Consultation with the Africville, Mi'kmaq and Urban Indigenous communities to identify potential community benefits for the project is expected to be held in Fall 2021.
Phase 3 of Public Engagement will present preliminary design drawings based on functional design and feedback gathered during previous sessions, share details on the remaining project schedule and expected construction timelines, and is expected to take place in Spring 2022.