Projects Highway 102

Highway 102 Enhancement and Improvement Project

Highway 102 is a vital transportation corridor, linking the Halifax Peninsula to the broader region. It also serves as the primary connection to Highways 101, 103, and 107, acting as a central artery for regional and inter-provincial travel. The demand, particularly between Exits 0 and 4, makes this segment some of the most congested roadway in the province.

The Regional Transportation Plan recommends that Highway 102 undergo a multi-year series of improvements and enhancements. These include:

  • additional capacity, safety improvements, and multi-modal connectivity for approx. 20 km between Exits 0 and 4.
  • upgrades to the interchange connecting Highways 101, 102, and 107, Hammonds Plains Road (Exit 3) and Kearney Lake Road (Exit 2).
A long-exposure photo of Highway 102 by Exit 3 at night, facing inbound.

Exit 3 Off-Ramp Upgrades

Starting Thursday, November 13, work on an additional lane and better sightlines at the Exit 3 southbound off-ramp to Hammonds Plains Road will begin and is expected to take six weeks.

The existing off-ramp will be widened to extend the separate right and left turning lanes, effectively creating two lanes through the off-ramp. The project will also create safer driving conditions by reducing blind spots at the ramp.

Be prepared for delays, stop and go traffic, and closures. Blasting will be required to create the space needed for the new lane.

Closure schedule

Highway 102
Exit 3 off ramp southbound
9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
December 8-12

All traffic detoured to Exit 2B (Larry Uteck)

Action 1.2.2: Enhance the capacity of the Highway 102 corridor between Exit 0 (Joseph Howe Dr) to Exit 4C (Duke St/Glendale Ave) to support higher-capacity modes.

This is one of the most critical segments in the transportation system. Over 60,000 people use it daily and, like the MacKay Bridge, it is an essential link in the regional goods movement network. This significant investment will increase the capacity to move people in this corridor, support rapid transit service, and improve goods movement. Support for higher-capacity modes could include high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes and transit priority measures. Upgrades to key interchanges will also improve safety, increase capacity, and provide multi-modal connectivity.

Goal 1 | Strengthen regional connections

Strategy 1.2 | Implement major transportation infrastructure projects that support all modes

Challenges Addressed

Safety
Efficiency & Reliability
Access & Affordability
Sustainability
Resiliency

Benefits

  • Enhances efficiency by improving overall flow with an emphasis on supporting higher capacity modes.
  • Improves safety, reducing collisions and minimizing disruptions
  • Supports multi-modal transportation options and facilitates improved connections.
  • Supports development enabled through Special Planning Areas and additional development envisioned by HRM.
  • Supports economic growth through more efficient goods movement. 

Status

The Department of Public Works has been completing planning work, including environmental screening, surveys, traffic studies, and preliminary design. Link Nova Scotia and The Department of Public Works will partner on the Highway 102 project.

Government has committed to advance the planning and design work for the project. A request for proposal (RFP) for functional design was issued. Responses are being reviewed and evaluted.

Upgrades for Exit 3 on Highway 102 will start November 13 and are expected to take six weeks.

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
the Macdonald Bridge and North End Halifax as seen from Citadel Hill on a sunny day.
Halifax Peninsula Core Streets Review
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