Quarterly project updates - Windsor Street Exchange project

Project details Common questions

Fall 2025

Last updated: Jan. 20, 2026

Early construction activities in support of the Windsor Street Exchange project began in fall 2025. Work included lane realignments on Highway 111 between the Windsor Street/Bedford Highway intersection and changes to the ramps to/from Massachusetts Avenue to enable construction of a temporary retaining wall in preparation for a future overpass structure. Two lanes in each direction are being maintained, but drivers should expect delays and use alternate routes where possible.

These traffic changes represent the first long-term impact for this project and will remain in place until overpass construction is complete, currently scheduled for 2027, pending Regional Council approval of Phase 2 in March 2026.

Phase 1 work will continue through early 2026 and includes the extension of Forrester Street and adjustments to the current design to enable potential future enhancements.

Phase 2 of the Windsor Street Exchange project, which includes major construction activities, will only proceed if Regional Council approves the contract following a staff presentation and progress report in March 2026.

Public Service Announcements have been issued to keep residents informed about traffic impacts and detours. Updates will continue to be shared through municipal channels, public service announcements, halifax.ca/WSE and through other channels.

Summer 2025

Last updated: Sept. 12, 2025

Since being awarded the contract, the design-build team has been advancing the detailed design of the Windsor Street Exchange project while preparing for early construction activities in select areas. Construction this year will include underground and road work extending Forrester Street, as well as site preparation on Highway 111 for a new overpass structure. Detailed design of the full project area will continue in parallel.

Early construction work is planned to begin in fall 2025, with signage and detour information shared in advance through public notices, this webpage and municipal social media channels. A construction management plan is being developed to help minimize impacts on all modes of transportation during the work.

Spring 2025

Last updated: July 11, 2025

Future dedicated transit options workshop

A planning workshop was held to explore a potential future phase of the Windsor Street Exchange project. This future phase would widen the road to include dedicated inbound and outbound transit lanes and separated pedestrian and cycling facilities between Joseph Howe Drive and Kempt Road. The workshop brought together internal staff, consultants, and external partners—including Link Nova Scotia, NS Public Works, Halifax Harbour Bridges, Port of Halifax and Halifax Water—to consider conceptual scenarios, their opportunities, impacts and order-of-magnitude costs.

The value planning study that informed this workshop concluded with conceptual scenarios that would accommodate the future Bus Rapid Transit green line and active transportation facilities while maintaining the benefits of the current design. Further detailed planning and design are required before a final concept can be recommended.

Winter 2025

Last updated: May 12, 2025

Regional Council approval

In January 2025, following earlier Council direction to explore potential upgrades to enhance the transit and active transportation design within the project area, staff returned with an updated design approach. At that meeting, a motion to proceed was defeated and the project was temporarily paused.

In February 2025, staff returned to Council with additional information and an alternative recommendation—to proceed with the Windsor Street Exchange project and begin planning the second phase of the project to provide additional dedicated transit lanes and separated pedestrian and cycling infrastructure. Regional Council approved this motion, and the project resumed.