Macdonald Bridge finally open to pedestrians and cyclists again

After nearly two years, pedestrians and cyclists can once again use the Macdonald Bridge.

Halifax Harbour Bridges announced Thursday the sidewalk and bike lane on the bridge are now open.

Access is restricted to times when the bridge is open. The Macdonald Bridge is closed to all traffic from 7 p.m. until 5:30 a.m. Sunday through Thursday, as part of the redecking project known as the Big Lift.

• Macdonald Bridge sidewalk and bike lane opening delayed

The bridge will also be closed this weekend, from 7 p.m. Friday until 5:30 a.m. Monday. Ashuttle service will operate at those times.

On June 1, agroup of cyclists protested how long it wastaking toinstallbike and pedestrian lanes. They biked over the bridge, takingover a single lane of traffic, to make their point.

Crewsdismantled the walking and cycling laneson the bridge nearly two years ago as part of the Big Lift.The bridge deck was spliced into 20-metre-long sections weighing up to 150tonnesand replaced one by one.

• 'Major milestone' for Big Lift: Final section of Macdonald Bridge replaced

The final segment was put into place in February. Morerecent work has includedreplacingthe floor beams beneath the deck and suspension cables.

• Macdonald Bridge bike lanes could be improved after Big Lift