Halifax could get new ‘Chunnel’

HALIFAX — The Halifax-Dartmouth Bridge Commission says urban sprawl may lead to a new bridge or tunnel in the city as early as 2016.

According to the Chronicle Herald, the A. Murray MacKay and the Angus L. Macdonald bridges, built in 1970 and 1955 respectively, won’t be able to handle the increasing traffic volume much longer. About 32 million vehicles cross the spans each year, up from about 24 million in 1981.

Officials are still debating whether the city needs a $1.1-billion, six-lane bridge or a $1.4-billion, four-lane tunnel.

Tom Calkin, chairman of the commission says a new connector could link Highway 111 in Woodside with the CN rail cut at the south-end container terminal.

The province has already said it plans to pave the south-end rail cut to accommodate trucks servicing the container pier as part of the Atlantic Gateway project.

In addition to the south-end bridge or tunnel, possibilities also include twinning the MacKay bridge on its north or south side.

Halifax Mayor Peter Kelly said the idea of a third harbour crossing is worth considering, although he added there are “a lot of unknowns.”He said the city is willing to explore the possibility, but he noted that the final say rests with the province.

To review a study on the project, completed by Delphi-MRC, click on www.needsassessment.ca.

— from the Chronicle Herald