Review of the Asset Management, Inspection and Rehabilitation Work Required to Maintain Two Suspension Bridges, Angus L. Macdonald and A. Murray MacKay, in Halifax, Nova Scotia (Canada)

The Angus L. Macdonald Bridge, opened in 1955, and the A. Murray Mackay Bridge, opened in 1970, are two suspension bridges that connect the cities of Dartmouth and Halifax in Nova Scotia, Canada. The Macdonald Bridge is 1347 m long (441 m main span) while the MacKay Bridge is 1236 m (426 m main span). The bridges are owned, operated and maintained by the Halifax Dartmouth Bridge Commission, doing business as the Halifax Harbour Bridges (HHB), whose main mandate is to provide safe, efficient, and reliable transportation infrastructure over the Halifax Harbour. A continuous effort has been made over the last 20 years to protect and extend the service life of these two critical bridges which need to withstand the harsh environmental conditions of Halifax. This paper showcases the advantages of collaborative effort between the Owner and Consultant, and the need for rigorous infrastructure maintenance and investment programs for suspension bridges.