Do anything to solve congestion.

That is the main message Halifax’s mayor says he is receiving from community members after Halifax Council scrapped the Windsor Street Exchange redevelopment project.

Andy Fillmore posted a video on social media last month, asking residents what they thought of the decision, because he, himself is concerned.

He tells our newsroom he got close to 1,000 responses.

“I wanted to hear from people and that’s what the video clip provokes. So, was I happy about that? Yeah.”

The main purpose of the new configuration was to improve traffic flow, including a lane for vehicles to move freely between the Bedford Highway and The MacKay.

However, the cost of the project skyrocketed, and it still lacked a transit lane.

Fillmore says the new plan that was presented to council last week, still achieved about 85 per cent of what the previous council had asked for.

“It wasn’t perfect. It couldn’t do everything, because there is simply not enough width of the roadway and HRM ownership to fit all the lanes required. So, what fell off was an outbound bus lane.”

He adds, he wanted to get started on the plan as is and work on getting the land they needed, but that was voted down.

“And we all know what happens when you delay projects. In the current economic environment, the cost balloons even further. So, the only that we have achieved here is to not solve congestion and present a much higher bill to the taxpayer.”

Motion to rescind

The fight to implement the plan isn’t over.

Councillor David Hendsbee filed a motion of recission to try to undo the vote and that is to happen in a couple of weeks.

Fillmore says, by then they will have more information with legislature in and the budget tabled.

“So, we’ll be in a better position to make a better-informed choice. Again, I’m optimistic.”