Layoffs expected following removal of tolls on Halifax bridges

The removal of bridge tolls in Halifax could result in several layoffs.

On April 1, the tolls will be lifted on the Macdonald and MacKay bridges in Halifax and some layoffs are anticipated.

The layoffs are expected to impact customer service staff while side toll workers contracted by Gardaworld Securities will also be out of a job.

The timeline to remove the toll plazas is yet to be determined.

“We are seeing what’s possible in terms of actually having the tolls booths down by that point,” said Steve Proctor, Halifax Harbour Bridges communication manager. “We are having professional people in to determine what can be done, give us their advice on what they can do in the available timelines.

“The Macdonald bridge is going to look very much like it will now but without the tollbooths, but the MacKay is going to be a different situation, we’ll probably work down until the deadline as to what it will look like come April 1.”

One major question going forward is traffic safety, but Proctor says Halifax Harbour Bridge Patrol will continue to monitor both bridges for traffic issues.

“Obviously one of our concerns is speeding and so we’re going to have increased enforcement at both bridges,” said Proctor.

Premier Tim Houston made a campaign promise to eliminate the tolls in an effort to ease traffic congestion.

Proctor said more than 33 million vehicles cross the bridges annually. The province’s 2025-2026 budget estimates roughly $36 million in revenue will be lost due to the removal of the tolls.

The province is turning the Halifax Harbour Bridge commission into a new Crown corporation.

They will take over the bridge work and they have set aside $86 million in the public works budget this year for bridge maintenance and another $15 million for operating costs.

As for refunds, 200,000 MacPass customers are being advised to monitor their banking information and make sure it’s up to date to ensure refunds are received in April, said Proctor

“I recommend customers go onto the MacPass website and update your credit card information,” said Proctor.

For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page