The Macdonald Bridge Big Lift has been moving at the pace of rush-hour traffic, but after months of delays work is about to speed up.  

The Halifax Harbour Bridge Commission started replacing the 46 deck segments one at a time last October, but now they are doubling up.   

“Over the last month we have increased the crew size from 35 iron workers to 70,” said Big Lift project manager, Jon Eppell.

There have been several delays that have put the project behind schedule by a few months. Officials say they had to deal with a learning curve, equipment failures and there were also days when they could not work due to the weather.

In some instances, bridge closures were extended creating long lines and headaches for commuters.

The new plan means the bridge will be closed every weekend until the end of the year.

The Big Lift is the largest undertaking since the Macdonald Bridge was built between Halifax and Dartmouth 61 years ago.

The project manager says the revised work plan will enable the contractor to complete the deck segment replacement by December 2016.

The paving will be completed next summer, with the final work to be done in the fall of 2017.

“If we had concern that rough weather or equipment issues may delay the reopening of the bridge by moving it to weekends, we take that away from Monday to Friday because there is a buffer on weekends,” said Steve Snider, CEO of Halifax Harbour Bridges.

The revised plan will take effect at the end of the month.

With files from CTV Atlantic’s Kelland Sundahl