Bridge Restrictions

Halifax Harbour Bridges closely monitors wind speeds and will restrict access to both the MacKay and Macdonald bridges for safety reasons, if necessary.

Weather Restrictions:

• Wind speeds of 75 – 85km: Closure of sidewalk and bike lane on the Macdonald Bridge
• Wind speeds of 85km: Restriction of high-sided vehicles on the MacKay Bridge
• Wind speeds of 120km: Closure of bridges to all traffic. Wind speeds can be different at each bridge.

What is considered a high-sided vehicle? 

HHB defines a high-sided vehicle as any vehicle exceeding 7’2” (2.2 metres) in height, including any fixed or removable racks. As a point of reference, most pick-up trucks, SUVs and vans, including most 15-passenger vans, fall well below this height restriction.

Weight and Vehicle Restrictions:

Macdonald

Other than buses, no vehicles weighing over 3200 kg (7055 lb) are permitted on the Macdonald Bridge and must cross the harbour via the MacKay Bridge.

MacKay

There is no bicycle or pedestrian access on the MacKay Bridge.

Vehicles with dual tires are strongly encouraged to use the lanes furthest to the right on either side of the bridge — lanes 1, 2, 3, 12, 13 and 14 — as they are wider to allow larger vehicles to pass through.

HHB requires a written letter of permission for all slow moving and oversized vehicles wishing to cross the MacKay Bridge. These vehicles include:

• Crane
• Backhoe
• Wheel Loader
• Grader
• Asphalt Spreader
• Forklift
• Tractor
• Or any other vehicle which is not a car or a pick-up truck, that HHB believes may impede the normal flow of traffic

No vehicles in the above listing may cross the A. Murray MacKay Bridge (AMM) during peak period traffic hours.

Depending on the height, width and weight of the vehicle, an HHB escort may be required.