Construction is set to commence on a highly anticipated emergency route from the Upper Tantallon neighborhood, where a significant wildfire originated three years ago. The Halifax Regional Municipality announced that work on the egress route linking the southwestern end of Westwood Hills and Highway 103 will begin in early October.
Residents, represented by Richard O’Fegan, the president of the Westwood Hills Residents Association, expressed relief at the long-overdue progress, noting the presence of essential equipment like excavators. O’Fegan emphasized the fulfillment of commitments and the sense of relief among residents as work on the road progresses.
The municipality anticipates completing the road by late December, with additional tasks such as restoration work potentially extending into next spring. A staff report from 2025 outlined the project’s estimated total cost, including property acquisition and planning, at around $2.7 million.
Construction activities will occur on weekdays between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m., focusing on building a 500-meter gravel road connecting Westwood Boulevard to the highway. Residents should prepare for increased construction-related traffic during the project, with temporary stop-and-go measures and lane reductions possibly necessary.
Similar to the two egress routes swiftly constructed after the devastating fire in Haliburton Hills and Highland Park, the new road will feature locked gates accessible to city staff and emergency personnel during emergencies.
During the May 2023 wildfire, the lack of egress posed significant challenges, resulting in the destruction of 150 homes in Upper Tantallon and Hammonds Plains. Concerns arose as hundreds of individuals faced traffic congestion and hazardous conditions while trying to escape the area.
While welcoming the progress on the emergency route, O’Fegan highlighted the ongoing need to ensure all neighborhood residents can safely evacuate during emergencies. The community desires an additional access route further north into the neighborhood, along with concerns regarding potential development impacts on traffic and the water table.
Halifax is conducting an online survey and hosting open houses to gather public feedback on proposed connector roads between Westwood Hills, Upper Hammonds Plains, and Highland Park North. The city aims to enhance emergency egress and transportation connections while addressing traffic challenges on Hammonds Plains Road.
Residents are encouraged to attend the open houses on Wednesday at the Upper Hammonds Plains Community Centre and on October 15 at the Tantallon Public Library. A broader public engagement initiative on roadway enhancements for Hammonds Plains Road, serving all connected communities, is scheduled for early 2027.