Angus L. Macdonald Bridge

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The Angus L. Macdonald Bridge the first of two suspension bridges linking the Halifax Peninsula to Dartmouth across Halifax Harbour in the Halifax Regional Muncipality , opened on April 2, 1955. It was named after the premier of Nova Scotia, Angus L. Macdonald, who had died in 1954 and had been instrumental in having the bridge built. The bridge was designed by Phillip Pratley, one of Canada's foremost longspan bridge designers who had also been responsible for the Lions Gate Bridge in Vancouver[link]. The bridges have a similar design, which is most notable in the towers. The contractor was Dominion Bridge Company Ltd.

The bridge sometimes suffers from traffic problems during rush hours as a result of the structure's proximity to the downtown cores of Halifax and Dartmouth, as well as its narrow width. No large trucks are allowed to cross, they must use the larger Mackay bridge instead. Buses are allowed to cross and the bridge is part of several Metro Transit routes. In 2005 the average number of vehicle crossings per day was 37,739.

Angus L. Macdonald Bridge on Canada day

A modernization project was undertaken in the late 1990s and completed in 1999 which saw the original 2 lanes and 1 sidewalk and utility corridor expanded to 3 lanes, with the centre lane being reversible to assist with traffic flow during peak periods. To reduce the weight of the roadway, asphalt and concrete were removed and special steel plating (an orthotropic deck) was used in its place. New pedestrian and bicycle lanes were attached to the outside of the structure to replace the original sidewalks.

External aesthetic lights were added during the modernization project which saw the bridge's towers lit for the first time on a continuous basis. Critics derided the effort as a waste of electricity, given Halifax Harbour's frequent foggy weather conditions. The lighting was estimated by the bridge authority to cost in excess of approximately $50,000/year in 1999. As of 2005, the bridge charges a toll (75¢, 60¢ with token or MACPASS) to cross for regular passenger vehicles with a discount for use of tokens or electronic toll. Larger vehicles have higher tolls.

Canadian activist Tooker Gomberg is thought to have committed suicide, by jumping off the bridge on March 4, 2004.

Trivia

• A memorial was recently placed near the bridge commission building honouring the iron workers who built the bridge.
• The pedestrian sidewalk and the bicycle lane are part of the Trans Canada Trail.
• The Macdonald Bridge appeared in the 2003 movie .
• The Macdonald Bridge appeared in the 2004 movie Sex Traffic.
• The bridge was closed for a short time when the toll plaza was severely damaged by Hurricane Juan in 2003.
• To locals, the Macdonald Bridge is referred to as "the old bridge".

See also

• A. Murray MacKay Bridge – A newer suspension bridge crossing Halifax Harbour.
• Halifax-Dartmouth Bridge Commission

External links

• [Halifax Bridge Commission information]
• [The Macdonald Bridge at Structurae.de]
• [Cherubini Group construction photos] including deck fabrication and replacement

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