Mandate & Mission

About HHB

Halifax Harbour Bridges (HHB) manages and maintains the critical cross Harbour infrastructure that allows Halifax to be the preeminent economic centre in Atlantic Canada.

Created by provincial statute in 1950, HHB is a dynamic self-supporting entity that operates two toll bridges, the 1.3-kilometre Angus L Macdonald Bridge and the 1.2-kilometre A. Murray MacKay Bridge. Together these critical pieces of infrastructure facilitate 105,000 vehicle crossing each weekday and generate more than $100 million in societal benefits annually.

HHB has 55-full time employees, and contracts with Commissionaires Nova Scotia for another 50 workers who provide bridge patrol, emergency service, and toll booth operations.

The safety of employees and bridge users is at the heart of HHB’s operation. It is the first consideration in all planning, maintenance and repair efforts.

The Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board approves toll rates set by HHB. In late 2021, it approved a toll increase that has allowed the organization to embark on an aggressive 10-year $285 million capital, maintenance and rehabilitation plan.

A future-focused organization, HHB is committed to looking both globally and locally to find innovative and sustainable solutions to engineering and service delivery challenges. It is similarly committed to offering world-class customer service to bridge users.

As a commission of the provincial government, HHB is governed by a board of nine commissioners and reports to the provincial Minister of Public Works.

For a copy of the five-year strategic plan click here.

Mandate

With the approval of the Governor in Council, HHB may construct, maintain and operate transportation projects across the Halifax Harbour and/or the North West Arm. When requested by the Government of Nova Scotia or the Halifax Regional Municipality, HHB can also investigate possible present or future access needs to Halifax provided by the bridges.

Mission

To provide safe, efficient and reliable cross harbour transportation infrastructure.

Core Values

Safety of employees and bridge users is our fundamental focus and a shared responsibility

Stewardship of our assets and the environment is our corporate and social responsibility

Respect means acting with professionalism, inclusivity, integrity and accountability

Collaboration and engagement with employees, customers and partners helps us achieve our mission

Teamwork is supporting employee growth and building on each other’s strengths

Strategic Goals

Improve safety, efficiency and environmental stewardship in operations and maintenance

Provide customer value through seamless, reliable and safe bridge crossings

Demonstrate financial sustainability

Foster a workplace where employees thrive

Expand our culture and practice of innovation

Land Acknowledgement

Halifax Harbour Bridges respectfully acknowledges that it is located in Mi’kimaki, the traditional and ancestral territory of the Mi’kmaq People.

Africville was a vibrant, close-knit African Nova Scotian community on the shores of Bedford Basin until the community was expelled in the 1960s. Halifax Harbour Bridges acknowledges and pays respect to its descendants knowing that the building of the MacKay Bridge will forever be tied to the loss of Africville. Halifax Harbour Bridges would like to build a meaningful relationship with the descendants of Africville and, more broadly, African Nova Scotian communities.