Multi-million dollar renovations on the Angus L. MacDonald Bridge haven’t been completed yet, but the bridge authority is already turning its attention to Halifax’s other bridge.
“You could build a new one right next to it,” said CEO of Halifax Harbour Bridges, Steve Snider.
In an interview with CTV's Steve Murphy on Thursday, Snider alluded that the A. Murray MacKay could be replaced in the future.
“That is a possibility,” he said.
Snider also mentioned that a replacement bridge most likely wouldn’t be a suspension bridge.
“It would be a cable-stayed, so you’d have tall towers and cables running down,” Snider said.
Cable-stayed bridges are supported by a number of cables that run directly from one to more towers. A cable-bridge in the Maritimes can be found in New Brunswick near Nackawic.
Snider went on to say they are currently in the process of selecting a consultant who's going to do a review and that should be determined by March or April.
Snider stressed that they’re only taking a preliminary look and weighing several options, but it has peeked the attention of some Haligonians hoping to improve elements of the municipality’s day-to-day life.
“It would certainly, probably look better,” said Cameron MacKeen. “I guess, almost in a way it would go along with like, the library, and all the new buildings, the new look of the city things along those lines.”
“To the end of it hopefully it improves the navigation of automobiles and frees up better means of transportation if that's the intention,” said Nick Punjabi.
A spokesperson for Halifax says the municipality expects to be part of the process.
“We've been in discussions with them about upgrades and repairs to the MacDonald Bridge and expect to be part of the conversation for the MacKay Bridge moving forward,” said Nick Ritcey.
With files from CTV Atlantic’s Laura Brown.
