Nova Scotia

Macdonald Bridge in Halifax to resume overnight closures

Halifax Harbour Bridges says the Macdonald Bridge will start closing again overnight as the Big Lift resumes.

Redecking problems closed bridge for nine hours more than scheduled

The yellow gantry is being used to lift the new bridge segments into place. Friday morning it needed to move 20 metres along the span to prepare to lift the next segment. (Shaina Luck/CBC)

Halifax Harbour Bridges says the Macdonald Bridge will start closing again overnight as the Big Lift resumes.

Last week, the bridge reopened nine hours later than scheduled because of problems with redecking the span.

"Over the past number of days, while overnight closures have been suspended, HHB has worked with the contractor, American Bridge Canada Company," Steve Snider, the CEO of Halifax Harbour Bridges said in a news release on Tuesday.

"The contractor has provided a detailed root cause analysis of last week's late openings as well as a detailed look-ahead schedule for the next two weeks.

"As a result, we are permitting overnight closures to resume this evening."

That should get them back on track with overnight closures to let work get done from Sundays to Fridays.

"All further weekend closures will be decided on a case-by-case basis, and communicated to the travelling public in due course," Snider added.

He said that decision will be made when Halifax Harbour Bridges is satisfied the second deck segment replacement can be done in time to reopen the bridge for the Monday morning commute.

"HHB wants to remind users that the bridge will continue to be a construction zone for the duration of the project and we appreciate their understanding and cooperation," he said. 

The Macdonald Bridge will close at 7 p.m. on Tuesday and is scheduled to reopen at 5:30 a.m. on Wednesday.