News Release

Traffic Changes Planned for Downtown Halifax

(Tuesday, September 19/2000)--The Traffic and Transportation Division of Halifax Regional Municipality, in cooperation with the Downtown Halifax Business Commission, is planning a number of changes to traffic flow and parking controls on Barrington Street, between Duke St. and Spring Garden Rd.

Metro Transit service is expected to continue at current levels and there should be little or no change to the current bus stop locations.

This initiative is expected to provide more options for motorists when driving through Halifax's downtown, one-way street network:

• The choices for directional flow will be increased;
• more turning opportunities off Barrington Street will be permitted;
• more on-street parking spaces will be created, and
• areas for commercial loading activity will be better defined.

Due to the scope of work required, this initiative will be staged over the coming weeks.

Stage One will see the block of Sackville Street, between Argyle and Barrington Streets, converted from one-way eastbound, to two-way traffic circulation.

Also, the parking control signs along the west side of most blocks of Barrington Street, between Duke St. and Spring Garden Rd,. will be changed to indicate "No Stopping Anytime". As a result of these sign changes, commercial vehicle loading activity will be confined to the east side of the street. No sign changes are planned for the block between Prince and Sackville Streets.

Stage Two will consist of realigning the centerline on Barrington St. to provide for the creation of left-turn, holding lanes at Sackville St. It will also allow for the establishment of the combined parking and commercial loading lane in selected areas along the east side of Barrington Street.

Stage Three will see the installation of the new parking control signs, and possibly parking meters, along the east side of Barrington Street.

Motorists, especially those who conduct commercial business, are advised to watch for these changes which will be on-going for the next few weeks.

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John O'Brien
Corporate Communications Officer
(902) 490-6531

David McCusker
HRM Traffic Authority
(902) 490-6696