Passenger Rail Feasibility Study

Rail service as a method to travel the province has long captured the imagination of Nova Scotians. To fully understand the opportunities and challenges associated with rail service, a passenger rail feasibility study will explore light rail transit (LRT) in Halifax Regional Municipality and passenger rail in the broader region.

The multi-part study will:

include a long-term transit phasing strategy to support growth, network resiliency and strategic corridor preservation.
evaluate and screen possible regional and urban corridors
advance conceptual designs for options in the selected corridors
provide an evidence-based evaluation of options

Action 3.1.3: Initiate preliminary work for a long-term strategy for Light Rail Transit (LRT) and regional passenger rail.

Passenger rail service has the potential to reshape travel in the Region by providing a very high-capacity form of transit service. Introducing this service is a significant undertaking, should target areas of potential high ridership, and would represent one of the most significant investments in the province’s history. Actions 1.3.1 that introduces inter-municipal transit service and 1.3.2 that introduces Bus Rapid Transit can establish a foundation of ridership and land use for future investments such as regional passenger rail and LRT. A passenger rail feasibility study will have an initial emphasis on connections between Halifax, Bedford, and Windsor and Halifax and Lantz.

Goal 3 | Develop a future-ready transportation system

Strategy 3.1 | Enhance system resiliency and plan for longer-term network connections

Challenges Addressed

Benefits

Provides more clarity on the long-term viability of passenger rail service.
Provides sound analysis to inform decision-making not only for the transportation system, but also for housing, healthcare, and economic development.

Status

A request for standing qualification (RFSQ) was issued on August 19. The RFSQ approach is ideal as it allows us to build a roster of qualified firms and engage the necessary expertise for the different parts of the feasibility study.

Common questions

What is the difference between LRT and passenger rail?

Light Rail Transit (LRT) travels in its own right-of-way, powered by overhead electric lines. It can be along, above, or below the street. It offers frequent service, can carry many people, and travels shorter distances (better suited to urban areas).

Passenger Rail usually travels on tracks shared with freight, requiring negotiation from CN. These are usually diesel-powered trains that travel over longer distances (better suited to rural / suburban areas, terminating in an urban area).

What areas will be included in the study?

The study will review the area mirrored in the Regional Transportation Plan. The study will focus on LRT in Halifax and passenger rail in the broader region.

Related Projects

A map shows urban HRM, with Lower Sackville to the north, Cole Harbour to the East, Bedford and Clayton Park to the West, and Spryfield and the mouth of Halifax Harbour to the south. Solid lines show the four planned bus rapid transit routes, Dartmouth Crossing to Larry Uteck, Saint Mary’s University to Lacewood Terminal in Clayton Park, Portland Hills to Dalhousie University, and downtown Halifax to Spryfield. Dashed lines show future frequent service or possible extensions, travelling across the MacKay Bridge, on Main Street in Dartmouth, along Parkland Drive, Main Avenue, Kearney Lake Road / Larry Uteck Boulevard, Bedford Highway, on Highway 102, to West Bedford, and to Lower Sackville via Magazine Hill. Solid lines show existing ferries at Alderney and Woodside, and the planned high-speed ferry at Mill Cove, all travelling to downtown Halifax. Dashed lines show proposed high-speed ferries at Shannon Park, Larry Uteck, and potenital future ferry service to Eastern Passage and Purcell's Cove.

Rapid Transit

A large bus driving on a highway at sunset.

Inter-municipal Transit