Cyclists and pedestrians accustomed to crossing the Macdonald Bridge, which spans between Halifax and Dartmouth, have had to adjust their commute as lane closures commence in The Big Lift project.
For the next 18 months, the pedestrian passage on the old bridge will be closed.
“I'm going to miss walking it,” says one pedestrian. “I love to get out and walk and enjoy the fresh air and walking across.”
To accommodate the 1,200 people who cross the bridge by foot and bicycle every day, Halifax Harbour Bridges has instituted a free shuttle service.
The shuttles can carry 12 bikes and 17 passengers and are wheelchair accessible.
Three buses run during peak periods - from 5:30 a.m. until 9:30 a.m. and again from 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. - and two during non-peak hours.
Some commuters told CTV News they were pleased with the service.
“It's fantastic man, you can't ask for a better shuttle service,” says one commuter.
Others had concerns.
“Right now it's not on a schedule, so they say it will only run about every half hour or so, but if that half hour isn't scheduled then I could show up and have to wait 25 minutes,” says another commuter.
The bike lane and sidewalks will not be removed until August, however, it was still necessary to close them ahead of that date.
“For the month of July we're going to be using the bike lane as a work platform out there, so they'll be using the work platform day and night,” says Halifax Harbour Bridges GM and CEO Steven Snider.
The bridge will reopen to foot and bicycle traffic in December 2016.
With files from CTV Atlantic's Matt Woodman
