Transit and Transportation

Note:  This is a synopsis of the information provided by those who atended the public meeting.  All information contained herein is draft only.

Vision: Fall River maintains its village atmosphere while accommodating safe and efficient mobility for its citizens within a coordinated transit and active transportation plan.

To accomplish this it is required to:

Traffic
Calm the traffic flow on #2 Highway with a landscaped median boulevard. The boulevard will require cross traffic turning openings.
The Fall River Road bridge across Fall River Run requires widening to a minimum of 4 lanes. This will include three outbound (right turn to #2 highway, straight through to Sobeys mall and left turn to #2 highway) and one inbound lane (toward Windsor Junction) with a center median from #2 highway to at least the west limit of Fall River Run (must maintain access to the mini home park).
[Supporting measures: HRM acquire space for the wider bridge requirement on both banks of Fall River Run to the north of the Fall River Road.
Limit further development of Fall River west of the Shubenacadie system until the bridge is widened.]
Construct at least one more access to #2 highway from NW Fall River.
Redesign and reconstruct the 102/118/#2 interchanges. On/Off ramps are not long enough to allow peak hour traffic to completely clear, or smoothly merge with, the 100 series highways.
Investigate the feasibility of a second interchange from Fall River to Highway 102.

Active Transportation
Develop a multi purpose trail to loop Fall River, Windsor Junction, Waverley, Fall River using existing roads and proposed trails. This trail to be well lit (solar powered lighting) with frequent sheltered rest areas (to include benches and water points) and signage. The trail must be properly designed for width and gradients.
Provide a continuous side walk along #2 highway from Wellington to Waverley.
Encourage and support completion of the proposed Shubenacadie trail through this area as soon as practicable.
Build wider shoulders on roads not serviced by sidewalks to increase walker/biker safety.

Transit
Express Service
Deemed to be a priority. Encourage speedy introduction of the proposed express service. Fare should be comparable to metro link service from Sackville and transferable. Bike racks on the busses are deemed to be essential.

Metro link
The Metro link from Sackville is considered to be a viable alternative to express service but will require a feeder service from Fall River.

Light Rail
Initiate a study on the viability of developing a light rail transit system from Windsor Junction to Dartmouth Alderney Gate via Burnside utilizing Diesel Multiple Units (DMU) (self propelled passenger rail cars) on existing Canadian National railway trackage. Consider the eventual extension of service to Windsor.

Community Transit
Considered a requirement for the Fall River demographic to support shopping, employment, entertainment and social interaction.
Investigate the viability of a Fall River, Fall River Village, Windsor Junction, Capilano, Riverdale, Sackville, Bedford, Waverley, Fall River community transit service to include, but not be limited to, stops in the Downsview area, Sackville Recreation Center, Metro link station and Bedford center. Route should operate bidirectionally and be available evenings and weekends in addition to weekday service. Fares should be commensurate with existing Metro like fares and should be transferable.