Dozens of suggestions have come in on what should fill the space between the lanes where the Macdonald Bridge tolls once stood.

Spokesperson for Halifax Harbour Bridges (HHB), Steve Proctor tells our newsroom so far, something green leads the way.

“This is an opportunity to have some small trees, some flowers, maybe something that brings butterflies into the area. One person said, you know… introduce beauty into an area that currently lacks it,” says Proctor.

HHB put the call out for suggestions last month for ideas that are fiscally responsible, low maintenance but visually appealing.

Proctor says they have ranged from an Indigenous art theme to an arrangement of rocks, a statue of Terry Fox, a clock or even a sign that tells you the weather.

“We have an iron worker statue that sits at the end of the building but it doesn’t get a lot of attention just because of its placement. Some people have suggested that we could move that out into that area and use the spotlight,” adds Proctor.

The spotlight would be multi-coloured and change to recognize a certain charity.

But, what is the most ridiculous idea so far?

“There was one person who suggested that we actually build a replica of the toll plaza and have a truck stuck in it, so that it would be a reminder of the good ‘ol days,” says Proctor.

However, he says, although they do welcome the “funny” and are not ruling anything out, most people have taken it fairly seriously.

In person gathering

Proctor says they will continue to take suggestions until at least August when they have the bridge walk, but want to have a plan in place by the fall.

“We can’t keep the pylons out through the winter on any kind of basis.  They’ll blow over and that kind of thing. So, we have to have something else by winter time,” adds Proctor.

If you want to add your two cents on what you would like to see in the vacant toll space, there is an in-person gathering at HHB, Thursday evening.

The bridge commission says there will be conversation and snacks, and it runs from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.