A. Murray MacKay bridge replacement could cost $3 billion but questions abound on who will pay for it

Advertisement 1 This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Breadcrumb Trail Links HomeAtlantic CanadaNewsNova ScotiaHalifax A. Murray MacKay bridge replacement could cost $3 billion but questions abound on who will pay for it Liberal MLA Becky Druhan questioned the province on how private investors would get a return without tolls Author of the article: By Ally Bowes Published Sep 18, 2026 Last updated 2 hours ago 2 minute read Traffic passes over the MacKay Bridge that spans Halifax and Dartmouth in August 2025. PHOTO BY RYAN TAPLIN /The Chronicle Herald Article content Opposition members have questions regarding how the MacKay bridge project will be funded as Nova Scotia’s premier returned from an investment summit in Toronto.  Article content During question period Thursday, Becky Druhan, the Liberal MLA for Lunenburg West, questioned the removal of bridge tolls, pressing the government on whether relying on private investors was the plan and if taxpayers will be on the hook for returns to them. Article content Article content Article content Fred Tilley, minister of public works, said investors could earn a return in many ways.  Article content Tilley announced in July that his department would hire a company to examine the future of the A. Murray MacKay Bridge, which opened in 1970 and became the second span to connect Halifax and Dartmouth. Article content Speaking to reporters Friday, Druhan, who is running for the provincial Liberal party leadership, said removing tolls didn’t eliminate costs related to the bridge.  Article content “If you introduce a private investor, there has to be some return on the investment,” she said. “So, on its face, it’s likely to be an added cost for Nova Scotians.”  Article content In the session Friday, Growth and Development Minister Colton LeBlanc mentioned a social media post from Druhan in support of eliminating the tolls. At the time, Druhan was a member of the Progressive Conservative party. Article content Houston back from summit Article content This comes as Premier Tim Houston returned to Province House Friday, following the Canada Investment Summit in Toronto. The summit, according to the Prime Minister’s Office, brought investors from all over the world, managing more than $100 trillion in assets.  Article content Article content Included in a document given to potential investors to outline projects was information on the MacKay bridge.   Article…