Last updated: Dec. 2, 2025
Questions about the Highway 111 lane realignment
- Why is this work starting now if the main project hasn’t been approved yet?
This early work involves site preparations, including building a temporary retaining wall and preparing for a future overpass structure. These early preparation activities are taking place at the direction of Regional Council as part of early preparation work before the Phase 2 construction plan is presented for consideration in March 2026.
Completing this work now is essential to keep the Windsor Street Exchange project on schedule to meet our funding contribution requirements.
Regional Council unanimously directed staff to proceed with this early preparation work on July 8, 2025:
- How long will the temporary detour be in place?
This lane realignment will be put in place at 7 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, and will remain in place until the construction of the new overpass is complete. As part of the second phase of this project, the new overpass is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2027, pending Regional Council approval of the Phase 2 contract.
More details and the project timeline are available at: halifax.ca/WSE
- What exactly is being built during this early preparation phase?
This early preparation phase includes making adjustments to roadways that are part of the Windsor Street Exchange network. These changes will enable the contractor to construct a temporary retaining wall near Highway 111, in preparation for a new overpass structure that will be constructed as part of the main project.
- Why was this traffic change chosen instead of other options?
Detailed traffic modelling simulations of a number of potential traffic adjustments showed that this lane realignment had the smallest impact on traffic flows, while enabling essential prep work to proceed safely and keep the project on schedule.
Work near this area of Highway 111 will include the construction of a temporary retaining wall, which is needed to enable the future construction of a new overpass structure in this area, pending Regional Council approval of the Phase 2 construction plan in March 2026.
- How will this impact daily commuters and peak traffic times?
This lane realignment is not expected to significantly impact most drivers travelling through the Windsor Street Exchange.
During the afternoon rush hour, there are likely to be traffic delays for drivers heading outbound on Massachusetts Avenue toward the Windsor Street Exchange. Drivers should expect delays and consider alternate routes if possible.
Detailed traffic modelling simulations showed that this lane realignment was the option that had the smallest impact on traffic flows, while enabling essential prep work to proceed safely and keep the project on schedule.
- What measures are being taken to reduce congestion during this period?
Detailed traffic modelling was used to determine the lane realignment option that minimizes congestion while allowing this essential work to proceed. Project staff are working with the progressive design-build team on the Phase 2 construction plan, which will be presented to Regional Council in March 2026. This plan prioritizes maintaining traffic flow through this critical gateway to and from the Halifax peninsula during construction.
- Will emergency vehicles still have access through the affected area?
Yes. Emergency vehicle access will be maintained at all times, and emergency services are kept informed of all significant traffic changes related to this project.
Drivers are reminded that emergency vehicles have the right of way when their flashing lights or sirens are activated. When an emergency vehicle is approaching with lights and sirens, pull over to the right edge of the road and stop until it has passed or a police officer directs you to proceed.
Drivers do not need to slow down or move over if the vehicle is on the other side of the median on a divided highway.
Traffic control personnel prioritize access for emergency vehicles responding to an emergency through any construction site.
- What are the detour details for impacted bus routes?
Morning trips for Express Routes 135, 136, 137 and 138 will not be impacted.
Starting the afternoon of Dec. 8, Express Routes 135 travelling to Bedford Highway at MSVU and 138 travelling to Dunbrack & Ross will detour as follows (the UPPERCASE details below show the changes to the route):
135 Flamingo Express
Depart Robie St After South St, right on University Avenue, straight on Morris Street, left on Barrington Street, service Scotia Square Bay 2, left on Cogswell Street, right on Gottingen Street, STRAIGHT ON NOVALEA DRIVE, LEFT ON DUFFUS STREET, STRAIGHT ON LADY HAMMOND DRIVE, straight on Bedford Highway, right on ramp to Joseph Howe Drive, continue on Joseph Howe Drive, right on Dutch Village Road, right on Alma Crescent, right on Titus Street, straight on Lacewood Drive, left into Lacewood Terminal Bay 13, straight on Radcliffe Drive, left on Dunbrack Street, right on Knightsridge Drive, right on Flamingo Drive, right on Bedford Highway to Bedford Highway At MSVU.138 Parkland Express
Depart Robie St After South St, right on University Avenue, straight on Morris Street, left on Barrington Street, service Scotia Square Bay 2, left on Cogswell Street, right on Gottingen Street, STRAIGHT ON NOVALEA DRIVE, LEFT ON DUFFUS STREET, STRAIGHT ON LADY HAMMOND DRIVE, straight on Bedford Highway, right on ramp to Joseph Howe Drive, continue on Joseph Howe Drive, right on Dutch Village Road, right on Alma Crescent, right on Titus Street, left on Main Avenue, right on Dunbrack Street, left on Willett Street, left on Lacewood Drive, left into Lacewood Terminal Bay 14, left on Lacewood Drive, right on Parkland Drive, right on Kearney Lake Road, straight on Dunbrack Street to Dunbrack St After Ross St.
Starting the afternoon of Dec. 8, Express Routes 136 travelling to Wentworth & Dunbrack and 137 travelling to Regency Park & Lacewood will detour as follows (the UPPERCASE details below show the changes to the route):
136 Farnham Gate Express
Depart Robie St After South St, right on University Avenue, straight on Morris Street, left on Barrington Street, service Scotia Square Bay 2, CONTINUE STRAIGHT ON BARRINGTON STREET, LEFT ON DEVONSHIRE AVENUE, LEFT ON DUFFUS STREET, STRAIGHT ON LADY HAMMOND ROAD, straight on Bedford Highway, right on ramp to Joseph Howe Drive, continue on Joseph Howe Drive, right on Dutch Village Road, right on Alma Crescent, right on Titus Street, left on Main Avenue, right on Willett Street, left on Lacewood Drive, left into Lacewood Terminal Bay 13, left on Lacewood Drive, right on Parkland Drive, right on Farnham Gate Road, straight on Ruth Goldbloom Drive, continue through roundabout to Wentworth Drive to Wentworth Before Dunbrack.
137 Clayton Park Express
Depart Robie St After South St, right on University Avenue, straight on Morris Street, left on Barrington Street, service Scotia Square Bay 2, CONTINUE STRAIGHT ON BARRINGTON STREET, LEFT ON DEVONSHIRE AVENUE, LEFT ON DUFFUS STREET, STRAIGHT ON LADY HAMMOND ROAD, straight on Bedford Highway, right on ramp to Joseph Howe Drive, continue on Joseph Howe Drive, right on Dutch Village Road, continue left to stay on Dutch Village Road, right on Rosedale Avenue, right on Willett Street, left on Lacewood Drive, left into Lacewood Terminal Bay 14, left on Lacewood Drive, left on Thomas Raddall Drive, right on Regency Park Drive to Regency Park Drive Before Lacewood Drive.
- Which bus stops will not be serviced by the routes impacted by this transit detour? Where are temporary stops located?
The following bus stops will not be serviced by the impacted transit routes due to the detoured routing (please note that other bus routes using these stops will continue to service them):
- 135 & 138
- Young St before Agricola St (8631)
- Robie St after Young St (8192)
- 136 & 137
- Gottingen St before Russell St (6782)
- Gottingen St after North St (6769)
- Young St before Agricola St (8631)
- Robie St after Young St (8192)
The following additional bus stops will be serviced along the detour:
- 135 & 138
- Novalea Dr after Young St (7366)
- Duffus St after Novalea Dr (6583)
- Novalea Dr After Young St (7366)
- Duffus St After Novalea Dr (6583)
- Duffus St Before Robie St (7096)
- 136 & 137
- A temporary stop near the intersection of Barrington St and Devonshire Ave
- Duffus St after Novalea Dr (6583)
- Duffus St before Robie St (7096)
- 135 & 138
- How will transit riders be notified about route changes?
Halifax Transit is providing updates to riders through the HFXGO app, radio ads, social media updates, website updates, printed signage, notices on affected bus stops and digital advertising. For detour and bus stop information including maps, visit: halifax.ca/htdisruptions
- What happens if Regional Council does not approve Phase 2 of the project?
At the direction of Regional Council, the Phase 1 early work in preparation for Phase 2 of the Windsor Street Exchange project began in fall 2025 and is expected to continue until staff present the Phase 2 construction plan to Regional Council for consideration in March 2026.
Staff will follow the direction of Regional Council. The preparation work currently underway will have a minimal impact on municipal infrastructure and can be reversed if the project does not proceed.
- Are there any safety concerns for drivers or pedestrians during this work?
For the safety of all road users and construction crews, drivers are asked to follow posted safety signage and exercise additional caution while driving through construction zones.
There are no sidewalks or other forms of pedestrian access within the impacted section of Highway 111.
- How will businesses in the area be affected?
The Windsor Street Exchange project team are in regular contact with businesses and residents near the project area, providing detailed updates on upcoming construction and related traffic changes.
Unless otherwise communicated to specific property owners, access to all properties will be maintained during this project. If access to properties will be temporarily interrupted, the contractor is required to provide the property owner with advance notice in writing.
- How is the municipality notifying drivers of these upcoming changes?
In advance of the lane realignment, the municipality will launch a proactive awareness campaign, which will include updates on the project website, public service announcements, paid advertisements on social media, local radio stations, local news outlets and other digital platforms.
Once the lane realignment is in place, there will be construction signage in the area to direct drivers through the impacted area.
- Is there a timeline for when full construction might begin?
Staff will present the Phase 2 construction plan to Regional Council for consideration in March 2026. Pending Regional Council approval of that plan, construction is expected to begin in April 2026.
The municipality will communicate the construction start date when these details become available, following direction from Regional Council.
- How much will this early work cost, and who is paying for it?
The Windsor Street Exchange project is being delivered using a progressive design-build approach, which brings design and construction together under one team. This method allows the project to move faster and more efficiently by aligning design decisions with construction sequencing and timelines.
The budget for Phase 1 preparation work is approximately $10.5 million. This is part of the overall budget for the Windsor Street Exchange project.
The anticipated total budget for this project is approximately $150 million, per the July 8, 2025 report to Regional Council. This includes both the ongoing early work and the upcoming construction phase.
Transport Canada is contributing $23.5 million via the National Trade Corridor Fund, the Province of Nova Scotia is contributing $10.75 million, and the Port of Halifax is contributing $2 million. The remainder of the project budget will be funded by the Halifax Regional Municipality and Halifax Water through their respective capital budgets.
The project budget is expected to evolve as the design is developed by the design-build team, with the overall budget being finalized prior to the construction contract being awarded.
- Why can’t this work wait until the final construction plan has been approved by Regional Council?
There are multiple benefits incentivizing the municipality to move forward with this early preparation work before the Phase 2 construction plan is approved by Regional Council.
Integration with other transportation projects
The municipality has thousands of kilometres of roadways and other transportation infrastructure to operate and maintain across the Halifax region. The planned improvements included in the Windsor Street Exchange project tie into planned future projects that are reliant on the completion of this project before they can be undertaken. This phasing is part of an intentional approach to improve mobility through major transportation corridors in alignment with the municipal Integrated Mobility Plan and Rapid Transit Strategy, and the provincial Regional Transportation Plan from Link NS.
Integration with Halifax Water projects
Halifax Water has major capital projects on critical infrastructure within the project area which have been integrated into the Windsor Street Exchange project. Completing this underground infrastructure work during the Windsor Street Exchange project will reduce the overall length of related traffic disruptions and will enable cost efficiencies by completing this work all at the same time.
Project funding source requirements
Some of the funding sources from other orders of government require the project to hit certain milestones by specific dates. By proceeding with the early preparation work now, the project can remain on schedule and continue to be eligible for this funding, reducing the cost to the municipality and, by extension, reducing the cost to municipal taxpayers.
General 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 2019. The municipality is leading the project and Halifax Water is partnering to complete capital work in the project area as well.
- What is the National Trade Corridors Fund?
Transport Canada launched the National Trade Corridors Fund (NCTF) in July 2017. The fund provides $2 billion over 11 years towards projects 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, the Province of Nova Scotia and Halifax Water.
- 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.
- When will construction begin?
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 in 2025 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 this fall, 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.
- 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 (GHG) emissions.- What environmental impacts will this project have?
This project will reduce congestion at this long-standing bottle neck, lowering greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and provide improved sustainable modes of transportation (active transportation and transit) through the area. A climate change risk-assessment has been completed for the project which has provided recommendations to integrate into the design and construction process.
- How does the Windsor Street Exchange Redevelopment project impact other transportation projects in the area?
The Windsor Street Exchange Redevelopment project is coordinating with the Bedford Highway 60% Design project, and will consider the completed Bedford Highway Functional Plan throughout the design process. The designs for both projects will intersect west of the Fairview Overpass.
The Africville Active Transportation project is exploring options for an active transportation connection to Africville Museum and Africville Park from North End Halifax. The Windsor Street Exchange public engagement will be integrated with the Africville Active Transportation Connection project, as well as through consultation with the Africville community on the project scope and potential community benefits.
- How does the Rapid Transit Strategy fit into the project?
The Rapid Transit Strategy, approved by Regional Council in May 2020, includes the “Green Line” through the Windsor Street Exchange. How transit moves through the area has been considered when evaluating design options for the Windsor Street Exchange Redevelopment project.
- Will road safety be reviewed as part of the study?
Collision history has been reviewed and analyzed as part of the study to improve access, connectivity and comfort for all users. Opportunities to improve safety through design and operational changes will be identified during the design process as the project progresses.
- How will this impact how I travel by vehicle in the area?
Assessing impacts to vehicles travelling in the area through functional design options of the corridor is part of the project. The team has modelled existing vehicle conditions and any impacts related to the proposed changes, as well as modelling options for redesign of the Windsor Street Exchange and the impact to the overall transportation network.
Impacts to travel during construction are expected, and more information will be shared by the project team as the detailed design and construction phasing plans are developed.
- What does Complete Streets mean?
Complete Streets are planned, designed, and maintained to make travel safe, convenient, and comfortable for people of all ages and abilities and using all transportation modes. The Windsor Street Exchange is an important link for all modes of transportation (active transportation, transit, vehicle traffic and goods movement), and the redesign will improve the people moving capacity of the intersection.
- What is value engineering?
Value engineering is an approach that is used to analyze and improve projects and has been used to evaluate design options for major infrastructure projects across North America. These studies have been successful in other jurisdictions to improve project outcomes, reduce construction costs, and deliver overall value for money. A value engineering study is conducted by a team of experts, and includes pre-workshop review and preparation, a workshop which identifies and evaluates potential alternatives, and review of which alternatives will be implemented on the project.
The value engineering study for the Windsor Street Exchange Redevelopment project:
- evaluated the work that was done so far and the design options that were being considered;
- considered input we have received from the project stakeholders and the public;
- evaluated potential alternative design options; and
- provided recommendations to improve the efficiency, safety, impact, constructability and cost of the project.
The value engineering team evaluated the developed design options and any design alternatives that were identified during the study. They provided recommendations that have been incorporated into the functional design.