Give yourself extra time or hop aboard a ferry if you plan to travel between Halifax and Dartmouth this weekend.
The A. Murray MacKay Bridge will be closed to all traffic from Friday at 8:00 p.m. until Monday at 5:30 a.m.
Steve Proctor with Halifax Harbour Bridges tells us it’s the last scheduled closure for the year.
“We have some work that needs to be done before winter. We’ve got a cable testing system that’s on the bridge that needs to come down, that requires a number of cranes to come onto the bridge to take it down,” says Proctor.
He says they can’t have cranes and traffic on the bridge at the same time.
Crews will remove cable inspection platforms and demolish the back ramp of the MacKay Bridge garage.
After the bridge reopens, the ramp demolition will stretch into Monday. That will mean the full closure of the Princess Margaret Boulevard (South ramp) for the day. The Princess Margaret Boulevard North ramp will not be affected.
Meanwhile, to help reduce traffic congestion during the MacKay’s closure, HHB encourages the use of public transit and says it will be offering free ferry rides all weekend.
Proctor says they are always looking at ways to mitigate the headache that bridge closures bring by working with Halifax Transit on the matter.
“It’s just to give people another opportunity to plan to avoid the traffic that’s going to be there and take the ferry. It’s a beautiful experience at this time of year,” adds Proctor.
The bridge commission also advises drivers to expect delays and provides the following tips:
- Allow extra time to reach your destination.
- Avoid peak travel periods when possible.
- Drive alternate routes with patience and caution.
“Asking people to be safe, be patient. We’re doing everything we can,” says Proctor. “We understand there’s a Mooseheads game and we will use the alternating opportunity on the MacDonald as much as we possibly can to help improve traffic where possible.”
The Angus L. Macdonald Bridge will remain open.
-with files from Caitlin Snow
