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MACPASS was introduced in 1998 to speed up toll collection and provide a more convenient payment method for bridge users. The MACPASS was such a success that on July 25, 2006 the HDBC announced they were phasing out the use of tokens to reduce idle times at the toll plaza and ensure the capacity of
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In
February 2008, consultants McCormick Rankin Corporation of Halifax released a report on the need for a third harbour crossing, commissioned by the HDBC. The report shows that cross-harbour traffic is nearing the capacity of the existing two bridges, and concluded that a third harbour crossing
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The subject of a third harbour bridge has come up several times in recent decades. The idea for a crossing from
Woodside to Halifax was originally envisioned by traffic engineers in the 1950s and 1960s as part of a larger regional transportation system connecting the Circumferential Highway,
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The
Halifax-Dartmouth Bridge Commission was created by provincial statute on 6 December 1950. Three commissioners, including the chairman and secretary, were appointed by the provincial government. The cities of Halifax and Dartmouth each appointed two commissioners, while the Halifax County
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In May 2008 the HDBC introduced axle-based tolling on both the MacKay and
Macdonald bridges. This system replaced the old weight-based tolling system that was used since the opening of the Macdonald bridge in 1955. The switch to axle-based tolling put the HDBC in line with most other toll
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The report listed several options for a third harbour crossing, including twinning of the MacKay bridge, a bridge across the
Northwest Arm, and several BRT only tunnels under the harbour, however, the Woodside crossing was determined to be the most beneficial.
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The HDBC stopped selling tokens on April 1, 2008 and stopped accepting tokens on May 1, 2008. Initially bridge users paid a $ 30 deposit for a MACPASS; this was refunded when the token was phased out and users can now get a transponder free of charge.
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the bridges was not lessened by toll plaza congestion. When the announcement was made, 55% of tolls were already being paid electronically with MACPASS. It is believed that if this number can be increased,
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could be reduced due to reduced idle times at the toll plaza, and help alleviate the immediate need for a third harbour crossing by ensuring the full capacity of the existing bridges is utilized.
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The A. Murray MacKay Bridge, known locally as the MacKay Bridge or the "new bridge", was opened on July 10, 1970. It is located to the north of the
Macdonald Bridge, at the Narrows of
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would be required by 2016–2026. The report suggested either a six-lane bridge, costing $ 1.1 billion, or a four-lane tunnel, costing $ 1.4 billion, from the southern terminus of the
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The municipalities around
Halifax Harbour were amalgamated in 1996. Today, the province appoints five bridge commissioners, while the Halifax Regional Municipality appoints four.
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approves the
Commission's financing. The commission has nine board members, five of whom are appointed by the provincial government, including the chair and vice-chair; the
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As a user-pay operation that is self-funding, the
Commission receives no assistance from, nor are its loans guaranteed by any level of government.
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The Angus L. Macdonald Bridge, known locally as the
Macdonald Bridge or the "old bridge", was opened on April 2, 1955. The bridge was designed by
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As of March 1, 2024 the toll for a regular passenger vehicle is $ 1.25 when paid by cash, or $ 1.00 when paid electronically with a MACPASS
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for construction of a third bridge or tunnel across Halifax Harbour which lead the HDBC to commission a needs assessment study.
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In March 2009, the commission launched its current operating name, Halifax Harbour Bridges, as well as an updated logo.
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facilities in North America, making it easier for them to maintain their electronic toll collection system, MACPASS.
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created in 1950 by provincial statute. It currently operates under a new statute passed in 2005 named the
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to the CN Rail cut on peninsular Halifax. The bridge option would allow for two dedicated lanes for
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Later, two additional provincially appointed commissioners were added to the board's composition.
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The MACPASS and integrated MACPASS Plus transponders are also set up in cooperation with the
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The MACPASS transponder is the same device used on other nearby toll facilities, such as the
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Municipality appointed one. The bridge commission held its first meeting in January 1951.
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to the remaining seats on the board. The commission's toll rates are approved by the
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to work as a payment method at the airport's new pay per use parking facility.
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Halifax Harbour Bridges 2008-2009 Annual Report (See introduction)
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Initial talks were held in July 2006 with officials at the
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The Commission reports to the Minister of Finance and the
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Bicentennial Drive, and the cancelled Harbour Drive.
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609:Nova Scotia government departments and agencies
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368:"Halifax-Dartmouth Bridge Commission Act"
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453:Cross-Harbour Traffic Needs Assessment
431:. Halifax-Dartmouth Bridge Commission
472:"Halifax bridge group eyes 3rd link"
395:"Bridge Commission formed in 1950".
185:Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board
139:Halifax-Dartmouth Bridge Commission
31:Halifax Dartmouth Bridge Commission
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18:Halifax Dartmouth Bridge Commission
594:1950 establishments in Nova Scotia
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614:Transport in Halifax, Nova Scotia
599:Crown corporations of Nova Scotia
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269:Proposed third harbour crossing
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399:. 10 July 1970. pp. B-11.
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345:Halifax International Airport
291:Halifax Regional Municipality
177:Halifax Regional Municipality
90:Halifax Regional Municipality
27:Nova Scotia Crown corporation
490:"Harbourview Drive Proposal"
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160:between the communities of
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319:greenhouse gas emissions
261:. The bridge feeds into
573:Halifax Harbour Bridges
562:44.668833°N 63.576972°W
514:HalifaxBridgeCommission
276:Circumferential Highway
253:A. Murray MacKay Bridge
247:A. Murray MacKay Bridge
143:Halifax Harbour Bridges
43:Halifax Harbour Bridges
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208:Board of commissioners
567:44.668833; -63.576972
122:halifaxharbourbridges
397:The Chronicle-Herald
338:Confederation Bridge
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173:Nova Scotia Cabinet
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458:2011-07-06 at the
415:2010-09-23 at the
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334:Highway 104
311:transponder
263:Highway 111
181:councillors
147:Nova Scotia
111:Nova Scotia
85:Area served
588:Categories
571: (
500:2010-01-01
378:2006-06-04
354:References
336:, and the
97:Key people
38:Trade name
241:Vancouver
166:Dartmouth
476:CBC News
456:Archived
413:Archived
435:11 July
216:Bridges
193:History
162:Halifax
145:, is a
117:Website
58:Founded
77:Canada
106:Owner
437:2023
164:and
137:The
61:1950
239:in
124:.ca
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