Province Planning for Future of A. Murray MacKay Bridge

The Province is exploring options for the future of the A. Murray MacKay Bridge.

A request for proposals was issued today, July 10, for a consultant to evaluate viable long-term transportation options across the Halifax Harbour narrows.

“The MacKay is a critical transportation link for Nova Scotia, handling a significant share of commuter and commercial traffic across the Halifax Harbour,” said Public Works Minister Fred Tilley. “We have a responsibility to get this right so future generations have a safe, reliable and efficient harbour crossing that supports economic growth, mobility and quality of life throughout our region.”

The requested business case will:

• complete an overview of the background, context and current state of the bridge
• provide possible crossing options
• outline preliminary design for preferred crossing option
• identify cost estimates, procurement options and funding strategies.

The aim is to provide a comprehensive and detailed analysis of options to guide future decision making and potential implementation of a preferred option.

The analysis will include financial feasibility, constructability, environmental impact, and social and cultural implications, as well as regulatory requirements, traffic flow, anticipated traffic disruptions and transit considerations.

Quotes:

“Acting now to develop a business case will ensure that we have the insights required to make a decisive, future-oriented choice that advances economic opportunity and improves connectivity for the next generation of Nova Scotia businesses and travellers.”
— Tony Wright, CEO, Halifax Harbour Bridges

Quick Facts:

• the MacKay bridge is the only crossing that allows commercial traffic
• 65,000 vehicles cross the MacKay bridge daily and, combined with the Angus L. Macdonald Bridge, it supports more than $120 million in economic activity annually
• the procurement process and business case development will be overseen by a steering committee including staff from Halifax Harbour Bridges, Link Nova Scotia, the Halifax Regional Municipality and the Department of Public Works
• exploring options for the future of the MacKay bridge is recommended in the Regional Transportation Plan under Action 1.2.1. and is included in the government’s response to the plan
• the business case is connected to the peninsula core streets review and the passenger rail feasibility study, both underway

Additional Resources:

Request for proposals package: https://procurement-portal.novascotia.ca/tenders/R2026-B

Regional Transportation Plan and government response: https://linknovascotia.ca/regional-transportation-plan/

Link Nova Scotia:

• website: https://linknovascotia.ca
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/link.novascotia
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/link.novascotia

Department of Public Works on X: https://x.com/NS_PublicWorks

Halifax Harbour Bridges:

• website: https://halifaxharbourbridges.ca/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HHBridges
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hfxharbourbridges/