‘Every day is a day too long’: Emergency exit coming for N.S. community hit by 2023 wildfire

Halifax Council has given the go-ahead to proceed with an egress giving Westwood Hills a second exit from their community.

An emergency exit for one of the Nova Scotian communities hit hardest by the 2023 wildfires is on the horizon.

It’s been a long time coming for residents of Westwood Hills, in the Upper Tantallon area, but they still have more waiting to do.

City councillors gave the go-ahead to staff Tuesday to proceed with a 500-metre “egress” – or emergency exit – connecting Westwood Boulevard, west of Hemlock Drive, to Highway 103.

Nancy Hartling, the councillor for the area, says people are living in fear – and while the wait is frustrating, it’s long-overdue work.

“We, as a council, need to be sure that we hold ourselves accountable here,” Hartling told reporters. “We’re only half of the way done. Only half of the work has been committed to. The other half needs to happen in coordination with the community. And I think it makes sense that we took this step. Having said that, time is of the essence. Every day is a day too long.”

All necessary work is expected to come at a cost of $2.7 million and is to be built next year.

Hartling says it’s “hugely frustrating” that it will take that long.

“I wish like crazy I could snap my fingers and make it happen. Unfortunately, that’s not the way it works,” said Hartling. “What we can do is commit ourselves to doing better and continue down this path.”

Further road connections are also being explored between Westwood Hills and Highland Park North, and Upper Hammonds Plains.

But Hartling says that community consultation will be a crucial next step.

There will also be a region-wide egress study to identify other vulnerable areas.

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