The Windsor Street exchange may be redeveloped. Some say the plan in place will fail – Halifax

Several active transportation groups are expressing concerns about a new redevelopment design for a busy access point into Halifax’s downtown core.

After more than a year of collecting recommendations from a study commissioned in early 2023, a new design for the Windsor Street Exchange project, initially approved in 2019, will be presented to Halifax councillors on Tuesday.

In a joint statement from More Than Buses, Walk ‘n Roll Halifax, and the Halifax Cycling Coalition, the groups expressed concern that “failure is guaranteed” if the council adopts the new design, citing a lack of prioritization of walking, cycling, and transit. The groups mentioned that the new design was shared with their members on May 30.

“We need a design that looks forward to the 21st century rather than one firmly rooted in the thinking of the last century,” the statement read, urging councillors to reject the current design and send it back to the drawing board.

The group’s statement highlighted that the new plan overlooks dedicated bus lanes, sidewalks, and cycleways, making it challenging to use the exchange without relying on private vehicles, leading to increased traffic congestion and environmental issues.

“The proposed design will, at best, provide a temporary reduction in congestion for cars which will quickly evaporate through induced demand and population growth,” the release stated, mentioning that the new plan fails to address Halifax’s expected population growth.

The new Windsor Street Exchange staff report does not include provisions for separated bike lanes or wide sidewalks.

David Trueman from the Halifax Cycling Coalition warned that traffic will be constantly stuck in gridlock if the municipality doesn’t design roads to accommodate other modes of transportation.

“We believe that councillors should prioritize walking, cycling, and transit over cars, following their own strategies and policies,” he said, criticizing the current design proposal for not aligning with those principles.

A project years in the making

According to a summary from Halifax Regional Municipality, the Windsor Street Exchange redevelopment will involve redesigning the intersection of Bedford Highway, Windsor Street, and Lady Hammond Road, which serves as one of the five access points to the Halifax peninsula.

“The Windsor Street Exchange is currently operating above its available capacity during peak travel periods,” the project overview noted, with approximately 110,000 vehicles passing through the area daily. In comparison, about 48,000 cars cross the intersection on Windsor Street alone.

The goals of the project include enhancing active transportation connections, prioritizing transit, improving traffic flow, and enhancing safety for all road users.

The latest report suggests that the redevelopment will increase vehicle throughput by 12% during the day, potentially reducing traffic by around 46% in the morning based on projected 2031 traffic demands.

The redesigned area now includes Joseph Howe Drive, roads near the MacKay Bridge, and a larger portion of the Bedford Highway.

In an effort to alleviate traffic congestion, staff recommended upgrading both inbound and outbound exit ramps from the Bedford Highway to Joseph Howe Drive to two lanes, with one inbound lane dedicated to buses heading towards the Bedford Highway.

Staff also proposed installing traffic signals at the ramp intersection from Joseph Howe Drive to the Windsor Street Exchange and Bedford Highway to better manage traffic flow and provide a safer crossing for pedestrians, cyclists, and other road users.

The plan aims to reduce congestion and enhance road safety through various design features.

Municipal staff highlighted that the revised plan includes transit priority measures, such as designated bus lanes, expected to reduce transit delays during peak hours by approximately two minutes.

Another design element allows traffic exiting the MacKay Bridge to bypass intersections, providing a smoother flow towards the Bedford Highway and Joseph Howe Drive exit ramp, or towards Windsor Street and Lady Hammond Road via Bayne Street.

The plan also involves upgrading Bayne Street to accommodate traffic, with the addition of traffic signals at key intersections.

The municipality, in collaboration with the province and the Port of Halifax, submitted an initial redevelopment proposal to Transport Canada five years ago, leading to the development of two design options based on conditions, future transportation needs, and public feedback.

Following a value engineering study, the project team arrived at final recommendations for the staff report to be presented to Halifax regional council.

The projected cost for the redevelopment is $103,865,000, to be shared among federal, provincial, and municipal governments, along with the Port of Halifax, with the Halifax Regional Municipality covering 65% of the cost.

If the new plan is approved, construction is slated to commence in 2025.

— with files from Amber Fryday