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. As a result, road users regularly experience significant delays and other operational challenges which have a negative impact on the road network, including on Joseph Howe Drive (Highway 102) and the Bedford Highway. 
 
This congestion also has a significant impact on the overall efficiency and reliability of freight movements to and from the Fairview Cove Container Terminal (FCCT), and the project will improve truck access to FCCT, allowing for increased freight capacity through the Port of Halifax. The project will also allow for the expansion of Active Transportation connections and transit priority measures through the Windsor Street Exchange.
 

Background

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

The project team has awarded a contract to WSP Canada to begin the design process, which is expected to take up to two years. Construction is expected to take two to three years, and is scheduled to begin in 2025. Further status updates will be provided throughout the design process.
 

Next Steps

Public engagement is an important component of the design process, with Phase 1 of public engagement beginning in April 2021. This first engagement phase will share the project background and objectives and collect feedback on how residents currently use the Windsor Street Exchange and what improvements could be made to the interchange.

The feedback received will influence the draft designs. The project team will then return for a second round of engagement in the fall of 2021 at which time draft designs will be presented for public review.  

Details of upcoming public engagement opportunities will be shared on the Shape your City project page.

The municipality is now inviting residents to participate in a survey and virtual open house to help inform the design of the Windsor Street Exchange Redevelopment Project.

 Common questions

Who is involved in this project?

The Halifax Regional Municipality has partnered with Transport Canada through funding under the National Trade Corridors Fund (NCTF), as well as the Province of Nova Scotia and the Port of Halifax. Funding was announced in June of 2019. The municipality is leading the project.

What is the National Trade Corridors Fund?

Transport Canada launched the National Trade Corridors Fund (NTCF) in July of 2017. The fund provides $2 billion over 11 years towards projects across Canada that support the flow of goods and passengers by reducing bottlenecks, addressing capacity issues, and helping transportation systems withstand the effects of climate change.

The NTCF will contribute $23.5 million to the Windsor Street Exchange Redevelopment project. Funding for this project will also be provided by the Halifax Regional Municipality, the Port of Halifax, and the Province of Nova Scotia. The municipality’s 2020/21 budgeted amount for this project was $2.25 million. Subsequent budgets are determined each year, however, together with our partners we will be collectively contributing a minimum of $23.5 million.

What are community benefits?

Community benefits are a way to increase the social impact of a municipal capital project. Benefits that could be included as part of infrastructure projects vary for each project based on the scope of the project, the impact of the project, and the opportunities identified through community consultation. They could include community improvements through design, such as active transportation connections and infrastructure upgrades, social procurement and environmental improvements.

Will consultation with the community be done?

Two types of consultation will be held. Consultation with the Africville, the Mi’kmaq and Urban Indigenous communities will identify potential opportunities to include community benefits as part of the Windsor Street Exchange project. Wider public engagement will also begin in April 2021 as part of the design process to share options, and receive public input on the concerns and opportunities with this transportation project.

Public consultation will be done primarily virtually to meet public health restrictions; however, the project team will also be identifying alternate ways of reaching out to ensure that engagement is fully accessible.

When will public consultation take place? 

The municipality is now inviting residents to participate in a survey and virtual open house to help inform the design of the Windsor Street Exchange Redevelopment Project.

Public engagement will continue to be held throughout the design process.

When will construction begin? 

Construction could begin as early as 2025. Further details on construction will be available after the design process is complete.

How will these changes benefit residents and motorists in the municipality?

These upgrades will improve the safety, efficiency and reliability of primary transportation routes, and most importantly – alleviate a longstanding bottleneck in the transportation network. 
 
The project will also further the municipality’s Integrated Mobility Plan’s goals of reducing port-related trucks traffic and traffic-related noise, improving safety, transit service, active transportation connectivity, and reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions. 

What environmental impacts will this project have?

This project will reduce congestion at this long-standing bottle neck, lowering GHG emissions, and provide improved sustainable modes of transportation (active transportation and transit) through the area. A climate change risk-assessment is planned for the project which will be integrated into the design process.

What is the municipality’s involvement in the Marine Container Examination Facility project?

The Halifax Regional Municipality, in partnership with the Province of Nova Scotia and the Port of Halifax, submitted a proposal to the National Trade Corridors Fund (NTCF) to complete the Windsor Street Exchange Redevelopment project. The Port of Halifax submitted a proposal in partnership with the Halifax Regional Municipality, the Province of Nova Scotia and CN to the NTCF to complete a complementary project which includes the Marine Container Examination Facility. Each project was awarded $23.5 million by The National Trade Corridor Fund.

Collaboration between the Port of Halifax and the Halifax Regional Municipality will take place as these complementary projects move through the planning and design phases. The shared goal is to improve the flow of people and goods through this important corridor.

Is this project related to the potential land exchange with the Halifax Port Authority & the Africville Heritage Trust regarding property adjacent to the Africville Museum?

Although discussions with the Halifax Port Authority and Africville Heritage Trust regarding the potential future use of these lands are not directly tied to the Windsor Street Exchange project, there are interrelationships that must be considered due to the close geographic proximity. Learn more about the potential land exchange here.

Is this project related to the Africville Active Transportation project?

These are two separate projects however, there are interrelationships that must be considered due to the close geographic proximity. Learn more about the Africville Active Transportation Project here.