Halifax-Dartmouth Bridge Commission
Encyclopedia
Halifax Harbour Bridges is the operating name of a Nova Scotia
provincial agency legally named the Halifax-Dartmouth Bridge Commission responsible for operating, maintaining, and constructing bridges over Halifax Harbour
between the Halifax Regional Municipality communities of Halifax
and Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
. They also have authority over any bridges over the Northwest Arm
, although no such bridge currently exists.The Commission reports to the Minister of Finance and the Nova Scotia Cabinet
approves the Commission's financing. The Commission has nine board members. The Province
can appoint five members, including the Chair and Vice-Chair; and the Halifax Regional Municipality appoints four Councillors
. The Commission's toll rates are approved by The Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board
http://www.nsuarb.ca/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=23&Itemid=19.
. The Macdonald bridge often suffers from traffic problems due to its narrow width, so a lane addition project was completed in 1999.
. The bridge feeds into Highway 111
, the Circumferential Highway.
to the CN Rail cut on peninsular Halifax. The bridge option would allow for two dedicated lanes for Bus Rapid Transit
(BRT), in keeping with HRM's regional planning goal of increasing public transit use.
The report listed several options for the third harbour crossing, including twinning of the MacKay bridge, a bridge across the Northwest Arm, and several BRT only tunnels under the harbour, but the Woodside crossing was determined to be the most beneficial.
Initial talks with officials of the Halifax Regional Municipality to construct a third bridge or tunnel across Halifax Harbour
began in July 2006 which lead the HDBC to commission the needs assessment study.
The subject of a third harbour bridge has come up several times in the past few decades. The idea for a Woodside crossing was originally envisioned by traffic engineers in the 1950s and 1960s as part of a larger system connecting the Circumferential Highway, Bicentennial Drive, and the cancelled Harbourview Drive.
As of April 1, 2011 the toll for a regular passenger vehicle is $1.00 when paid by cash, or $0.70 when paid electronically with a MACPASS transponder
(this rate increases to $0.80 on April 1, 2012). Prior to May 1, 2008, bridge users could also use bridge tokens, at a cost of $0.60 each.
MACPASS was introduced in 1998 to speed up toll collection and provide a more convenient payment method for bridge users. The MACPASS was such a success that on July 25, 2006 the HDBC announced they were phasing out the use of tokens to reduce idle times at the toll plaza and ensure the capacity of the bridges was not lessened by toll plaza congestion. When the announcement was made, 55% of tolls were already being paid electronically with MACPASS. It is believed that if this number can be increased, greenhouse gas emissions could be reduced due to reduced idle times at the toll plaza, and help alleviate the immediate need for a third harbour crossing by ensuring the full capacity of the existing bridges is utilized.
The HDBC stopped selling tokens on April 1, 2008 and stopped accepting tokens on May 1, 2008. Initially bridge users paid a $30 deposit for a MACPASS, but this was refunded when the token was phased out, and you can now get a transponder free of charge.
The MACPASS transponder is the same device used on other nearby toll facilities, such as the Cobequid Pass
, the toll section of Highway 104
, and the Confederation Bridge
. It is therefore not required to purchase a separate transponder for each service.
The MACPASS and soon to be integrated MACPASS Plus transponders are also set up in cooperation with the Halifax International Airport
to work as a payment method at the airport's new pay per use parking facility.
As a user-pay operation that is self-funding, the Commission receives no assistance from, nor its loans are not guaranteed by any level of government.
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the most populous province in Atlantic Canada. The name of the province is Latin for "New Scotland," but "Nova Scotia" is the recognized, English-language name of the province. The provincial capital is Halifax. Nova Scotia is the...
provincial agency legally named the Halifax-Dartmouth Bridge Commission responsible for operating, maintaining, and constructing bridges over Halifax Harbour
Halifax Harbour
Halifax Harbour is a large natural harbour on the Atlantic coast of Nova Scotia, Canada, located in the Halifax Regional Municipality.-Harbour description:The harbour is called Jipugtug by the Mi'kmaq first nation, anglisized as Chebucto...
between the Halifax Regional Municipality communities of Halifax
City of Halifax
Halifax is a city in Canada, which was the capital of the province of Nova Scotia and shire town of Halifax County. It was the largest city in Atlantic Canada until it was amalgamated into Halifax Regional Municipality in 1996...
and Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
Dartmouth founded in 1750, is a community and planning area of the Halifax Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia. Located on the eastern shore of Halifax Harbour, Dartmouth has been nicknamed the City of Lakes after the large number of lakes located in the city.On April 1, 1996, the provincial...
. They also have authority over any bridges over the Northwest Arm
Northwest Arm
The Northwest Arm, originally named Sandwich River, is an inlet in eastern Canada off the Atlantic Ocean in Nova Scotia's Halifax Regional Municipality.-Geography:...
, although no such bridge currently exists.The Commission reports to the Minister of Finance and the Nova Scotia Cabinet
Executive Council of Nova Scotia
The Executive Council of Nova Scotia is the cabinet of that Canadian province....
approves the Commission's financing. The Commission has nine board members. The Province
Government of Nova Scotia
The Government of Nova Scotia refers to the provincial government of the Canadian province of Nova Scotia. Its powers and structure are set out in the Constitution Act, 1867....
can appoint five members, including the Chair and Vice-Chair; and the Halifax Regional Municipality appoints four Councillors
Halifax Regional Council
Halifax Regional Council is the governing body for the Halifax Regional Municipality in Nova Scotia.In April 1996, the councils for the City of Halifax, the City of Dartmouth, Town of Bedford, and Municipality of the County of Halifax were dissolved when those municipalities were amalgamated into...
. The Commission's toll rates are approved by The Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board
Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board
The Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board or NSUARB is the independent tribunal and regulating arm of the Government of Nova Scotia.NSUARB was established in 1992 following the amalgamation of the former Board of Commissioners of Public Utilities, the Nova Scotia Municipal Board, the Expropriations...
http://www.nsuarb.ca/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=23&Itemid=19.
Angus L. Macdonald Bridge
The Angus L. Macdonald Bridge, known locally as the Macdonald bridge or the "old bridge", was opened on April 2, 1955. The bridge was designed by Phillip Pratley, a bridge designer also responsible for the Lions Gate Bridge in VancouverVancouver
Vancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,...
. The Macdonald bridge often suffers from traffic problems due to its narrow width, so a lane addition project was completed in 1999.
A. Murray MacKay Bridge
The A. Murray MacKay Bridge, also known as the MacKay bridge or the "new bridge", was opened on July 10, 1970. It is located to the north of the Macdonald bridge, at the Narrows of Halifax HarbourHalifax Harbour
Halifax Harbour is a large natural harbour on the Atlantic coast of Nova Scotia, Canada, located in the Halifax Regional Municipality.-Harbour description:The harbour is called Jipugtug by the Mi'kmaq first nation, anglisized as Chebucto...
. The bridge feeds into Highway 111
Nova Scotia Highway 111
Highway 111 is a 13-kilometre controlled access freeway in Nova Scotia, Canada.Highway 111 varies from 4-12 lanes and is known informally as the Dartmouth "Circumferential Highway", or, more recently, "The Circ", since it is a partial orbital road. The highway runs from Pleasant Street in the...
, the Circumferential Highway.
Third Harbour Crossing
In February 2008, consultants McCormick Rankin Corporation of Halifax released a report on the need for a third harbour crossing, commissioned by the HDBC. The report shows that cross-harbour traffic is nearing the capacity of the existing two bridges, and concluded that a third harbour crossing would be required by 2016-2026. The report suggested either a six-lane bridge, costing $1.1 Billion, or a four-lane tunnel, costing $1.4 Billion, from the southern terminus of the Circumferential HighwayNova Scotia Highway 111
Highway 111 is a 13-kilometre controlled access freeway in Nova Scotia, Canada.Highway 111 varies from 4-12 lanes and is known informally as the Dartmouth "Circumferential Highway", or, more recently, "The Circ", since it is a partial orbital road. The highway runs from Pleasant Street in the...
to the CN Rail cut on peninsular Halifax. The bridge option would allow for two dedicated lanes for Bus Rapid Transit
Bus rapid transit
Bus rapid transit is a term applied to a variety of public transportation systems using buses to provide faster, more efficient service than an ordinary bus line. Often this is achieved by making improvements to existing infrastructure, vehicles and scheduling...
(BRT), in keeping with HRM's regional planning goal of increasing public transit use.
The report listed several options for the third harbour crossing, including twinning of the MacKay bridge, a bridge across the Northwest Arm, and several BRT only tunnels under the harbour, but the Woodside crossing was determined to be the most beneficial.
Initial talks with officials of the Halifax Regional Municipality to construct a third bridge or tunnel across Halifax Harbour
Halifax Harbour
Halifax Harbour is a large natural harbour on the Atlantic coast of Nova Scotia, Canada, located in the Halifax Regional Municipality.-Harbour description:The harbour is called Jipugtug by the Mi'kmaq first nation, anglisized as Chebucto...
began in July 2006 which lead the HDBC to commission the needs assessment study.
The subject of a third harbour bridge has come up several times in the past few decades. The idea for a Woodside crossing was originally envisioned by traffic engineers in the 1950s and 1960s as part of a larger system connecting the Circumferential Highway, Bicentennial Drive, and the cancelled Harbourview Drive.
Toll collection
In May 2008 the HDBC introduced axle-based tolling on both the MacKay and Macdonald bridges. This system replaced the old weight-based tolling system that was used since the opening of the Macdonald bridge in 1955. The switch to axle-based tolling put the HDBC in line with most other toll facilities in North America, making it easier for them to maintain their electronic toll collection system, MACPASS.As of April 1, 2011 the toll for a regular passenger vehicle is $1.00 when paid by cash, or $0.70 when paid electronically with a MACPASS transponder
Transponder
In telecommunication, the term transponder has the following meanings:...
(this rate increases to $0.80 on April 1, 2012). Prior to May 1, 2008, bridge users could also use bridge tokens, at a cost of $0.60 each.
MACPASS was introduced in 1998 to speed up toll collection and provide a more convenient payment method for bridge users. The MACPASS was such a success that on July 25, 2006 the HDBC announced they were phasing out the use of tokens to reduce idle times at the toll plaza and ensure the capacity of the bridges was not lessened by toll plaza congestion. When the announcement was made, 55% of tolls were already being paid electronically with MACPASS. It is believed that if this number can be increased, greenhouse gas emissions could be reduced due to reduced idle times at the toll plaza, and help alleviate the immediate need for a third harbour crossing by ensuring the full capacity of the existing bridges is utilized.
The HDBC stopped selling tokens on April 1, 2008 and stopped accepting tokens on May 1, 2008. Initially bridge users paid a $30 deposit for a MACPASS, but this was refunded when the token was phased out, and you can now get a transponder free of charge.
The MACPASS transponder is the same device used on other nearby toll facilities, such as the Cobequid Pass
Cobequid Pass
Cobequid Pass is the name given to a 45 kilometre toll section of Nova Scotia Highway 104 in Colchester County and Cumberland County between Masstown and Thompson Station with a toll station near Great Village...
, the toll section of Highway 104
Nova Scotia Highway 104
Highway 104 in Nova Scotia runs from the New Brunswick border near Amherst to St. Peter's. Except for the portion on Cape Breton Island between Port Hawkesbury and St. Peter's, it is part of the Trans-Canada Highway....
, and the Confederation Bridge
Confederation Bridge
The Confederation Bridge is a bridge spanning the Abegweit Passage of Northumberland Strait, linking Prince Edward Island with mainland New Brunswick, Canada. It was commonly referred to as the "Fixed Link" by residents of Prince Edward Island prior to its official naming. Construction took place...
. It is therefore not required to purchase a separate transponder for each service.
The MACPASS and soon to be integrated MACPASS Plus transponders are also set up in cooperation with the Halifax International Airport
Halifax International Airport
Halifax/Robert L. Stanfield International Airport, or Halifax Stanfield International Airport is an airport in Enfield, Nova Scotia and in Halifax Regional Municipality, Canada...
to work as a payment method at the airport's new pay per use parking facility.
As a user-pay operation that is self-funding, the Commission receives no assistance from, nor its loans are not guaranteed by any level of government.