Construction Begins on Emergency Egress Route for Upper Tantallon's Westwood Hills
Work is starting in early October on a new emergency egress route connecting the Westwood Hills subdivision in Upper Tantallon to Highway 103. The approximately $2.7 million project, approved by Halifax Regional Council in March 2025, follows the May 2023 wildfires that destroyed over 150 homes and forced the evacuation of nearly 16,000 people.
Construction is scheduled to begin in early October on a new emergency egress route connecting the Westwood Hills subdivision in Upper Tantallon to Highway 103. The project aims to address evacuation bottlenecks identified during the May 2023 wildfires, which destroyed over 150 homes and forced the evacuation of close to 16,000 people.
Following the wildfires, Halifax Regional Council directed staff to examine emergency access opportunities, and the Westwood Hills project was approved in March 2025. A 2025 staff report estimates the total cost of the egress project, including planning and property acquisition, at approximately $2.7 million.
The new route will be approximately 500 metres long and eight metres wide, consisting of a gravel road with gated entrances. The road will remain closed to regular traffic and accessible only to authorized municipal staff and emergency responders during emergencies. Construction is expected to be completed by late December, though restoration work may continue into the spring of 2027.
Richard O’Fegan, president of the Westwood Hills Residents Association, described the construction start as "long overdue" but noted residents are relieved that commitments are being fulfilled.
Concurrently, the Halifax Regional Municipality is seeking public feedback on potential connector roads. Residents can provide input via an online survey available until Friday, Oct. 23. In-person engagement sessions are scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 7 at the Upper Hammonds Plains Community Centre and Thursday, Oct. 15 at the Tantallon Public Library.