The Windsor Street Exchange Redevelopment Project

As of Nov. 5, 2024, this page has been archived. For the most up-to-date information on this project, please visit halifax.ca/windsor-street-exchange. 

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 the Windsor Street intersection, with 92,000 to 110,000 vehicles per day through the project area. 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 spring 2024. Following the report, it is anticipated that the design-build team would begin as soon as possible, working to complete the detailed design and allowing construction to begin in 2025. 

Current progress

The project team is working on a final functional design to recommend to Regional Council by spring 2024, 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? 

Thank you to all who have contributed and provided feedback to inform the functional design of this project. Public participation has closed. Future updates about this project will be shared on our halifax.ca project page and are anticipated pending Regional Council's review of final functional design. 

Public participation summary

• Phase 1 - Conducted in spring 2021. The feedback heard during this engagement was used to develop two design concepts. 
  • Watch the recorded virtual Open House.
  • Read the ‘What We Heard’ Report. 
• Phase 2 - Conducted October and November 2021. The project team shared concept design options and gathered feedback that will be used in making design decisions. 
  • Watch a video sharing the project background and concept design options.
  • Watch a recording of the virtual open house.
  • Read the What We Heard’ Report.