As outlined in the Active Transportation Priorities Plan, Integrated Mobility Plan, and the Rapid Transit Strategy, Herring Cove Road is a key multi-modal corridor within the municipality’s transportation network. These plans and strategies recommend closing gaps in the pedestrian network, addressing a lack of active transportation infrastructure, and providing upgrades required to enable high-quality transit, including bus rapid transit, to the communities along Herring Cove Road.
The first phase of this project includes the section of Herring Cove Road between the Armdale Roundabout and Cowie Hill Road. Eventually this project intends to connect all the way south to Greystone Drive.
The planned upgrades include:
- Extending and upgrading existing sidewalks to ensure safe, continuous access for pedestrians.
- Multi-use pathways or dedicated bike lanes for the complete length of the corridor.
- Priority measures for bus (bus lanes or priority bus signals) to ensure smooth operation of current bus routes and the future Bus Rapid Transit Yellow Line.
Latest update
Detailed (90 per cent) design is currently underway between the Armdale Roundabout and Cowie Hill Road with an expected completion of spring 2024. Preliminary (60 per cent) design from Glenora Avene to Greystone drive is underway with expected completion in late 2024. Construction timelines will be determined based on funding priorities and property requirements.
Project history
- 2023. Final 90 per cent design stage for corridor between Armdale Roundabout and Cowie Hill began. Preliminary (60 per cent) design stage began for the corridor between Glenora Avenue and Greystone Drive.
- 2020 through 2022. Integration of changes based on public engagement feedback and the Rapid Transit Strategy. 60 per cent design completed.
- 2019. 30 per cent design completed between Armdale Roundabout and Greystone Drive. Process included public engagement identifying concerns and
Why is this project happening?
Herring Cove Road is the only practical route connecting many communities south of the Armdale Roundabout to each other and the Halifax Peninsula. As such, Herring Cove Road must be adapted to safely accommodate all modes of travel including personal vehicles, transit, pedestrians and cyclists. This project is directly aligned with Regional Council-approved Integrated Mobility Plan - the municipality's plan to connect our communities through safe, sustainable and accessible modes of transportation.
In addition enabling improved transportation options along the route for pedestrians, cyclists and transit users, some of the expected benefits of this project include: improved safety for all users, decreased travel times for those taking transit and improved connections between Herring Cove Road communities and the Halifax Peninsula.
What is changing?
The first phase of this project plans to add dedicated cycling facilities or multi-use pathways on Herring Cove between the Armdale Roundabout and Cowie Hill Road, as well as add a northbound transit-only lane approaching the roundabout. Additional changes will target improvements to all-user safety at intersections along the corridor.
Common Questions
- What is a “Multi-Modal Corridor”?
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A Multi-Modal Corridor is a route that supports multiple different modes of travel and prioritizes them based on the context of the area and the principles of the municipality’s Integrated Mobility Plan. In the case of Herring Cove Road this includes pedestrians, cyclists, transit users, and motorists.
- Why is the project being built?
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Herring Cove Road is the only practical route connecting many communities south of the Armdale Roundabout to each other and the Halifax Peninsula. As there is a lack of alternative routes, Herring Cove Road must be able to safely accommodate all modes of travel. However, support for pedestrian, cycling, and transit users is currently poor.
- What are the benefits of the project?
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Expected benefits of the project are an increase to all-user safety (particularly pedestrians and cyclists), decrease in travel times for transit users, improved connectivity between communities on Herring Cove Road and the Halifax Peninsula, and an increase in pedestrian, cycling, and transit users for the corridor.
- Why are bike facilities necessary?
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Cycling facilities are necessary to provide a safe operating space for cyclists along the corridor.
- Why are bus lanes necessary?
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Bus lanes are necessary to enable high-quality transit, including bus rapid transit, and prevent buses from becoming stuck behind traffic entering the Armdale Roundabout.
- What is Bus Rapid Transit?
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Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) is a public transit system designed to have more capacity, reliability, quality, and speed than a traditional bus service. BRT is typically defined by high frequency service (five to ten minutes headway), lower frequency of stops (400-800 meters), and transit priority measures such as bus lanes or bus signals to enable smooth, fast travel. For more information about BRT in the municipality visit the Rapid Transit Strategy page.
- How will bike facilities improve things?
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Safe separation between cyclists and motorists and improved safety at intersections will allow Herring Cove to be accessed by a wider range of cyclists who are otherwise not confident cycling with traffic on high-speed roads.
- How will bike facilities impact vehicle traffic?
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Providing dedicated bike facilities that remove cyclists from the roadway will decrease the number of vehicle-cycle conflicts. Encouraging and enabling more cyclists to help reduce traffic congestion.
- How will the bus lanes improve things?
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Installation of this bus lane may reduce transit times into Halifax between 7 and 9 a.m. by up to 15 minutes. Use of the final section of the bus lane as a dedicated right turn lane at the roundabout will provide a small improvement for general traffic.
- How will the bus lanes impact vehicle traffic?
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Removing buses from the general traffic lanes will increase storage space for vehicles waiting for the roundabout. At the roundabout itself the bus lane will also serve as a new right-turn lane, which will result in a small increase to roundabout capacity from Herring Cove Road.
- Why not use two vehicle lanes in each direction near the Armdale Roundabout?
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The capacity of Herring Cove Road in this area is limited by the capacity of the Armdale Roundabout. Adding more general vehicle lanes is not expected to increase capacity for motorists and would decrease all-user safety by increasing crossing distances and vehicle speeds.
- Why are bus lanes only being added in one direction near the Armdale roundabout?
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This section of Herring Cove Road is limited by the Armdale Roundabout in the southbound direction. As a result, buses only experience significant delays in the northbound direction approaching the roundabout.
- I am a motorist, what benefit does the project have for me?
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Enabling safe, effective, and accessible routes for pedestrians, cyclists and transit users on Herring Cove Road increases transportation options for commuters helping reduce the number of cars on the road. This reduces congestions and other delays for those traveling by personal vehicles. Safety improvements planned for the project aim to decrease the number of vehicular collisions and the likelihood of motorists striking pedestrians or cyclists.
Project Contact
If you have additional questions, please contact the project manager at the information listed below:
Charlie Elliott, Project Manager, Design & Construction, Public Works.