Macdonald Bridge reopens following extended closure
Posted Oct 23, 2015 04:57:41 AM.
Last Updated Oct 23, 2015 02:42:10 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
For the second time this week, ‘Macdonald Bridge’ was trending nationally on Twitter as Haligonians vented their frustrations on social media over traffic chaos caused by the delayed opening of the route across the harbour.
Nightly closures on weekdays are now a part of The Big Lift project, with the bridge scheduled to reopen at 5:30 a.m., but the Macdonald didn’t open until 2:15 p.m. Friday.
Halifax Harbour Bridges also confirmed Friday that all closures of the Macdonald Bridge have been suspended until further notice, citing in an update Friday that there will not be another overnight closure until Tuesday, October 27 at the earliest.
“We have taken this step to ensure that we are able to meet our underlying commitment to our users – for safe, efficient and reliable bridge crossings,” explained Halifax Harbour Bridges general manager and CEO Steve Snider.
“Once we receive the proper assurances and undertakings from our contractors, we will update the travelling public as to the future closure and work schedule,” Snider said.
The dissatisfaction has extended all the way up to Snider during the latest phase.
“This has not been our finest week, we’re extremely disappointed in our performance and what’s occurred here,” said Snider. “This is not the standard to which we normally operate.”
Today’s delay was caused by something called a lifting gantry, the large yellow piece of equipment being used to lift and lower deck sections during project.
Snider told The Rick Howe Show windy conditions contributed to crews not being able to finalized the position of the gantry, which needed to be pinned into place for this weekend’s segment replacement.
Several collisions around the region also contributed to rush hour turmoil as commuters slowly made their way to work.
Halifax Transit had to detour buses that normally travel across the Macdonald to the MacKay, and warned ferry passengers of longer wait times due to increased volume as people tried to avoid the traffic jams.
Snider said he understands the hardships caused by the delays.
“My heart goes out to all those people who are struggling to get back and forth in traffic,” he said. “I know beyond the time element, this a financial burden on people.”
This is only the second time a suspension bridge deck replacement of this kind has been done, the first was on the Lions Gate bridge in Vancouver.
Snider told NEWS 95.7 the Big Lift project is a series of firsts, last weekend was the first section replacement, and last night was the first time they moved the gantry.
Crews replaced the first of 46 sections last weekend, causing a delayed reopening of several hours Monday morning.
“What’s important is we use these firsts as learning opportunities and make sure we don’t repeat this.” he said.
A ‘big bump’ caused by the elevation difference between the new and old sections has also been creating backups on the bridge this week.
“Our mission here at Halifax Harbour Bridges is to provide safe and efficient cross-harbour travel, one thing I can tell you is safety has never been compromised during any of this work, nor will it ever be,” Snider said. “but in terms of efficient cross-harbour travel, we’ve struggled with that.”
