Seems like the Big Lift isn’t turning into as much of a big mess as initially feared. Traffic problems so far appear minor, and if anyone’s angry about the 18-month disruption in their commute we’ve yet to hear from them over at The Coast.
Now comes word that the bridge commission will, thankfully, run their shuttle service conveniently between both sides of the Macdonald bridge during construction.
Originally, Halifax Harbour Bridges said the five-night-a-week free shuttle would potentially run from the corner of Wyse Road and Faulkner Street in Dartmouth, to the water treatment plant at Cornwallis and Upper Water. Effectively, adding an extra kilometre onto everyone’s trip across the bridge. Now, the three, 17-seat shuttles will pick-up and drop-off riders at the intersection of North and Gottingen.
The Macdonald Bridge shuttles will start running 24-hours a day after June 29 to make up for the year-and-a-half the bridge will be without sidewalks and bike lanes. The vehicles will each pull a trailer that can hold up to 12 bicycles.
Transit buses are already not crossing the Macdonald after 6:30pm (from Sunday through Thursday). The city is running its own special shuttle service between Halifax and Dartmouth during those times. You can consult our handy guide to find out which irritating shuttle you should take.
The Big Lift winds down in December, 2016.
