Halifax Peninsula Core Streets Review

The Halifax Peninsula has the highest concentration of people, jobs, and services in Nova Scotia. With only five ways on and off the peninsula, it is one of the most congested areas in the province.

There are competing priorities for space on many streets which often struggle to meet the needs of different modes of transportation and users. While many improvements have been made to the peninsula core streets, a view of how streets are functioning as a whole is needed.

A network-level review of the core streets on the Halifax Peninsula, as well as the access on and off, will identify opportunities to improve travel. Recommendations could include reconfiguring the directional flow of key streets, reallocation of space within the right-of-way, or prioritization of specific transportation modes.

Benefits

explores additional and/or expanded access points to the peninsula from the west
assesses cumulative impacts of multiple planned or proposed network changes
guides the design of transit priority measures that are envisioned to support Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) service
supports decision-making related to the utilization of right-of-way including parking, loading, and the routing of planned active transportation facilities
improves the efficiency and reliability of trucks traveling to/from Halifax Port Authority facilities
provides recommendations to move the most people and goods in the most efficient manner along and through constrained corridors on the Halifax Peninsula.

Status

CIMA Canada Inc (CIMA+) will examine core streets and access points and, in collaboration with Link and HRM, will take a network-level view of key streets on the Halifax Peninsula. CIMA+ is a multidisciplinary Canadian company that specializes in consulting engineering and project management with over 30 offices across Canada.

The review will include detailed modelling work using the activity-based travel demand model owned by Link Nova Scotia and HRM. Based on census and travel survey data, the tool simulates how, when and where people travel, and allows for the testing of transportation projects and their impact without investment or construction, road closures, and detours.

A map displaying the streets to be included in the core streets review. — An overview of the core streets on the Halifax peninsula.

Link Nova Scotia released a request for proposal on December 10 that closed on February 5.

Action 1.1.3: Review the function of the Halifax Peninsula’s core streets and access corridors and implement suitable recommendations.

Completing a network level review of core streets on the Halifax Peninsula and transportation corridors connecting to it and provide a plan to help identify any changes to improve user safety, reduce travel time, and increase reliability to ultimately enhance the flow of people and goods through the most constrained areas. Findings could include recommendations to reconfigure the directional flow of key streets, reallocation of space within the right-of-way, prioritization of specific modes / uses, and further exploration of additional access points from the west. Monitoring and evaluation would be completed to measure peak-period travel times.