Macdonald bridge shuttle to drop off passengers near CFB Halifax
Cyclists opposed original Halifax site at bottom of Cornwallis Street
Cyclists are happy with the new Halifax location for the Angus L. Macdonald Bridge shuttle service.
The shuttles will begin working at the end of June, when pedestrian and cycling lanes come down while the bridge deck is being replaced. About 600 pedestrians and a similar number of cyclists cross bridge daily during summer and fall.
Bicycles will be transported on trailers attached to buses. The shuttle location on the Dartmouth side is on Faulkner street right next to the bridge
Cyclists opposed the Halifax site, to be located at bottom part of Cornwallis Street near the harbour waste water treatment plant, saying it was too far out of the way.
So bridge officials negotiated with the city for a grassy area next to CFB Halifax. A tender has been issued to pave part of the area to create a safe drop off zone.
"It's such a good spot compared to way down on Cornwall. For anybody who's going up and down Agricola or
Gottingen Street, it makes so much more sense," said Eric Jonssen, a board member with the Halifax Cycling Coalition.
There will be no lanes available for 18 months during what bridge officials call "the big lift."
Halifax Harbour Bridges CEO Steve Snider said 17 passenger buses will be operating around the clock. The trailers can hold up to 12 bicycles each.
The Halifax drop-off area will revert to green space after the big lift. A shuttle service schedule has not been worked out yet.