Last updated: July 11, 2025
- 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?
The design-build team is beginning detailed design work, which includes the development of a design and construction phasing plan. An update on this plan is expected in spring 2025, which will share expected construction start dates and durations. Further details on construction timing and impacts will be shared on this project page on a regular basis.
- 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.