Imagine Spring Garden Road

The corner of Spring Garden Road and Brenton Street. The streetscape is complete and features wider sidewalks, narrower streets, and undergrounded overhead wires.

The corner of Spring Garden Road and Brenton Street with the streetscape complete.

Spring Garden Road is one of the region's busiest pedestrian shopping streets and a major corridor for Halifax Transit. Anchored by the popular Halifax Central Library at one end and the spectacular Halifax Public Gardens at the other.

We've completed street and sidewalk improvements, like wider sidewalks with pavers, the undergrounding of all wiring, the addition of planters, trees, and seating. Renderings and project information to date can be found here.

Construction

UPDATE: This road closure will continue until Friday, October 21, due to delays from unknown infrastructure and Hurricane Fiona.

Starting Tuesday, September 6 until Tuesday, October 4 Friday, October 21, Spring Garden Road from Queen to Birmingham streets will be closed to vehicle traffic 24/7. 

Halifax Transit bus routes will be detoured throughout the duration of the road closure.

Access to all businesses will be maintained at all times. Traffic control personnel will be on site to direct pedestrians around the work site.

This road closure will be in place to facilitate the remaining underground work related to the Spring Garden Road streetscaping project. This work includes the installation of utility infrastructure, soil cells, light bases, as well as a final utility connection. 

Spring Garden Road Bus-only Pilot

Project update (July 8, 2022): 

The Halifax Regional Municipality is advising residents that the Spring Garden Road Bus-only Pilot will be paused on Friday, July 8 until further notice.  

The municipality intends to re-evaluate the current traffic control measures to recommend alternative methods to communicate and enforce the pilot initiative. 

Effective immediately, the following changes will be in effect: 

  • Spring Garden Road, from Queen to South Park streets, will be return to normal traffic operations; 
  • Vehicle access will be maintained on Spring Garden southbound on Birmingham Street, northbound on Dresden Row and northbound on Brenton Street; 
  • Clyde Street will remain two-way between South Park Street and Queen Street;
  • Stopping is not permitted along Spring Garden, from Queen to South Park streets, outside of the one designated loading area; and, 
  • Cyclists and pedestrians will continue to have access at all times. 

Regional Council approved this project in December 2021, as part of the Imagine Spring Garden Road streetscaping project. 

Common questions about the pilot

Why was the Spring Garden Road Bus-only Pilot paused?

This pilot was paused due to operational concerns. Staff determined that traffic control measures need to be improved, including visibility for signage and changes in vehicle and pedestrian signalling. 

What is the timeline for next steps for the Spring Garden Road Bus-only Pilot?

Staff will look at solutions to operational concerns in the coming weeks and will reevaluate the project. Any changes will be communicated on as soon as possible. 

Why is the municipality implementing this?

A transit-only street would achieve the streetscape’s original goals of an improved pedestrian experience and prioritized transit. There would be less noise and more mid-block crossing opportunities for pedestrians. Fewer vehicles using Spring Garden Road would improve reliability on Halifax’s busiest transit corridor. Additionally, the transit-only segment would allow bicycles, creating better cycling conditions.

There are no driveways on this segment of Spring Garden Road, and on-street parking, stopping, and loading are not allowed today due to the narrow roadway. Driveways, on-street and off-street parking (including accessible parking), and on-street loading are located on side streets.

What if I need accessible parking or transit?

Accessible parking spaces were added on side streets near each intersection in 2020 to increase the amount of accessible parking and meet demand for drop-offs and short-term stopping as close to destinations and curb ramps as possible.

Good corner access coupled with Spring Garden Road’s short block lengths (60 -100m), will continue to make this one of Halifax’s most accessible streetscapes.

How will deliveries and loading work?

In 2020, changes were made to streets in the neighbourhood to support loading and vehicle movement in advance of the streetscape construction. This included new traffic signals at Dresden Row and Sackville Street, and the conversion of portions of Dresden Row and Birmingham Street to one-way traffic.

This conversion was made to allow for additional loading and parking space to replace what was to be removed when streetscape construction made Spring Garden Road narrower. In addition to allowing the use of both curbsides for loading and/or parking, the one-way allows for smoother traffic circulation on these narrow side streets.

Signage on side streets assigns curbside loading space to parking at 11 a.m., encouraging deliveries (and large trucks) to complete their activities downtown before pedestrian volumes increase.

How are you evaluating the pilot?

Some of the possible evaluation metrics include:

  • Pedestrian and customer experience on the street
  • Average transit travel times
  • Rider experience
  • Pedestrian volumes along the corridor
  • How people access the street
  • Compliance review
  • Speeds and volumes on surrounding streets
  • With cooperation of the business association and individual businesses, business sales and customer volumes could also be measured

All indicators suggest that a transit-only corridor on this section of Spring Garden Road will enhance the pedestrian, bicycling, and transit experience for all, however this pilot will serve to confirm those indications. Staff will be on street throughout the pilot collecting feedback.

 

Previous Project Updates

Project Update #27 - December 15, 2021
  • Continuing to install pavers along the remaining portions of Spring Garden Road;
  • Installing soil cells and planters along the northside Spring Garden between Brenton and Birmingham;
  • Installing pavers at the access-a-bus stop in front of Park Lane;
  • Completing curb work at Birmingham and Dresden Row intersections;

Notices:

  • Bell Aliant has requested closures of Dresden Row (Wednesday) and Birmingham Street (Thursday) to pull wires off poles. Traffic will be flagged two-way at that time. NSP will transfer power to new underground system for various customers, primary work being completed Sunday night. NSP has pre-arranged the required outages with all the affected customers. Poles and wires will be removed Sunday evening as well. This will require a closure of side streets, and two-way flagging will be in place.
  • Streetlights are being installed starting at the South Park Street intersection;
Project Update #26 - December 7, 2021
  • The intersection of Spring Garden Road and South Park Street will be closed from Friday, Dec. 10-Monday, Dec. 13. Read the Public Service Announcement for full details.
  • Continuing to install pavers along the remaining portions of Spring Garden Road;
  • Installing soil cells and planters along the northside Spring Garden between Brenton and Birmingham;
  • Installing pavers at the access-a-bus stop in front of Park Lane;
  • Installing pedestrian ramps at the Dresden Row intersection;
  • Completing ductbank construction at the northwest Birmingham intersection;
  • Streetlights are being installed starting at the South Park Street intersection;
  • The utilities have begun to pull their wires along the corridor. NSP will coordinate directly with property owners/tenants for any overnight switchovers.  
Project Update #25 - November 30, 2021
  • Continuing to install pavers along the remaining portions of Spring Garden Road;
  • Installing soil cells and planters along the northside Spring Garden between Brenton and Birmingham;
  • Installing pavers at the access-a-bus stop in front of Park Lane; Installing pedestrian ramps at the Dresden Row intersection;
  • Completing ductbank construction at the northwest Birmingham intersection; Streetlights are being installed starting at the South Park Street intersection;
  • The utilities have begun to pull their wires along the corridor. NSP will coordinate directly with property owners/tenants for any overnight switchovers.  
Project Update #24 - November 23, 2021
  • Finishing pavers along the southside of Spring Garden between Dresden Row and Birmingham Street
  • Installing pavers along the northside of Spring Garden between South Park Street and Brenton Street
  • Finishing planters along the southside Spring Garden between Brenton and Dresden; Forming planters in front of Park Lane Mall
  • Completing ductbank construction at the north east Birmingham intersection; Pouring top soil into completed planters
  • The utilities have begun to pull their wires along the corridor.
    • NSP will coordinate directly with property owners/tenants for any overnight switchovers.  
Project Update #23 - November 16, 2021
  • Continuing to install soil cells and planters between Dresden Row and Brenton Street;
  • Installing pavers along the southside of Spring Garden between Dresden Row and Birmingham Street;  
  • Installing pavers along the northside of Spring Garden between Birmingham Street and Queen Street;  
  • Working nights to prepare the northside of Spring Garden between South Park Street and Dresden Row for pavers;  
  • Completing ductbank construction at the north east Birmingham intersection;
  • Installing ductbank along Spring Garden at Queen Street;
  • Completing top lift asphalt between South Park Street and Birmingham Street this weekend – will require a closure of Dresden Row. Weather dependent;
  • The utilities have begun to pull their wires along the corridor.
Project Update #22 - November 10, 2021
  • Continuing to install soil cells and planters between Dresden Row and Birmingham Street;
  • Installing pavers along the southside of Spring Garden between Brenton Street and Dresden Row;
  • Installing pavers along the northside of Spring Garden between Birmingham Street and Queen Street;
  • Completing ductbank construction at the north east Birmingham intersection;
  • Pouring curb between Dresden Row and Birmingham Street;
  • Completing base lift asphalt between Brenton and Birmingham;
  • The utilities will begin to pull their wires along the corridor this week and next.
Project Update #21 - November 3, 2021
  • Continuing to install soil cells and planters between Dresden Row and Birmingham Street;
  • Installing pavers along the southside of Spring Garden between Brenton Street and South Park Street;
  • Completing ductbank construction at the north east Dresden Row intersection;
  • Beginning pavers on the northside of Spring Garden Road sidewalk between Birmingham and Queen Street;
  • Pouring curb between Brenton and Dresden;
Project Update #20 - October 26, 2021
  • Continuing to install soil cells and planters between South Park Street and Dresden Row on the south side;
  • Pouring base asphalt on the southside of Spring Garden between Brenton Street and South Park;
  • Installing pavers along the southside of Spring Garden in front of civic 5670;
  • Completing installation of pavers along the loading bay near McDonalds and Lawtons; Completing installation of the Nova Scotia Power vault on the south side of the Dresden Row intersection;
  • Completing ductbank construction between Dresden Row and Birmingham Street;
  • Beginning work on the northside of Spring Garden Road sidewalk between Birmingham and Queen Street;
Project Update #19 - October 19, 2021
  • Continuing to install soil cells and planters between South Park Street and Dresden Row on the south side;
  • Pouring curb and gutter along the southside of Spring Garden between Brenton Street and South Park Street;
  • Completing installation of pavers along the loading bay near McDonalds and Lawtons;
  • Completing installation of the Nova Scotia Power vault on the south side of the Dresden Row intersection;
  • Completing ductbank construction between Dresden Row and Birmingham Street;
  • Beginning work on the northside of Spring Garden Road sidewalk between Birmingham and Queen Street;
  • Beginning sidewalk removal at the southwest corner of Birmingham and Spring Garden;
  • Halifax Water will be replacing a valve at Birmingham and Spring Garden on Thursday night. Notices have been circulated to those impacted.
Project Update #18 - October 13, 2021
  • Continuing to install soil cells and planters between South Park Street and Dresden Row;
  • Beginning to install pavers along the loading bay near McDonalds and Lawtons; Beginning to excavate and install a Nova Scotia Power vault on the south side of the Dresden Row intersection;
  • Completing paving around the Birmingham intersection that will allow for pedestrian area to relocate to complete ductbank construction between Dresden Row and Birmingham Street;
  • Prepping area around McDonalds and Lawtons for the installation of the granite bollards, and preparing the area for pavers in the coming weeks;
  • Heritage Gas is capping a gas line at Dresden Row.
  • Installation of all three communication vaults, and ductbanks from Dresden Row to South Park Street, have been completed.
Project Update #17 - October 5, 2021
  • Finishing the installation of ductbanks along the south side of Spring Garden Road, between Brenton Street and South Park Street;
  • Finishing the install of ductbanks along the south side of Spring Garden Road, between Brenton Street and Dresden Row;
  • Beginning to install soil cells between Brenton Street and Dresden Row;
  • Finishing the construction of the expanded communication vault at Dresden Row and backfilling the intersection;
  • Continuing construction of the communication manhole at the Birmingham intersection;
  • Beginning the installation of soil cells between Birmingham Street and Queen Street (north side);
  • Installing curb around Scotiabank at Brenton Street;
  • Prepping area around McDonalds and Lawtons for the installation of the granite bollards, and preparing the area for pavers in the coming weeks
Project Update #16 - September 28, 2021
  • Finishing the installation of ductbanks along the south side of Spring Garden Road, between Brenton Street and South Park Street;
  • Finishing the install of ductbanks along the south side of Spring Garden Road, between Brenton Street and Dresden Row;
  • Beginning to install soil cells between Brenton Street and Dresden Row;
  • Finishing the construction of the expanded communication vault at Dresden Row and backfilling the intersection;  
  • Continuing construction of the communication manhole at the Birmingham intersection;
  • Beginning the installation of soil cells between Birmingham Street and Queen Street (north side);
  • Installing curb around Scotiabank at Brenton Street;
  • Prepping area around McDonalds and Lawtons for the installation of the granite bollards, and preparing the area for pavers in the coming weeks;
Project Update #15 - September 21, 2021
  • Continuing to install ductbanks along the south side of Spring Garden Road, between Brenton Street and South Park Street, up to Turkish Delight;
  • Continuing to install ductbanks along the south side of Spring Garden Road, between Brenton Street and Dresden, up to La Fresca;
  • Pouring the concrete walls for the expanded communication vault at Dresden Row;
  • Continuing demolition of the communication manhole at the Birmingham intersection; Beginning to form up and pour concrete for the next two planters located by Brenton Street.
  • Nova Scotia Power will be moving some transformer banks overnight around Dresden Row and Birmingham Street. This should not impact service to customers.
Project Update #14 - September 14, 2021
  • Continuing to install ductbanks along the south side of Spring Garden Road, between Brenton Street and South Park Street, up to Turkish Delight;
  • Continuing to install ductbanks along the south side of Spring Garden Road, between Brenton Street and Dresden, up to La Frasca;
  • Constructing the walls for the expanded communication vault at Dresden Row; Beginning demolition of the communication manhole at the Birmingham intersection;
  • Beginning to form up and pour concrete for the first two planters located by South Park Street;
  • Pouring sidewalk on the northwest corner of Dresden Row; Pouring concrete pads for seating.
Project Update #13 - September 7, 2021
  • Continuing to install ductbanks along the south side of Spring Garden Road, between Brenton Street and Dresden Row;
  • Installing gravels between Birmingham Street and Queen Street, all cobblestone and tram tracks have been removed;
  • Pouring the concrete base and forming the walls for the expanded communication vault at Dresden Row;
  • Beginning construction on the communication manhole at the Birmingham intersection; Beginning to form up and pour concrete for the first two planters located by South Park Street;
  • Nova Scotia Power will begin to complete work within the vault located at Brenton/Spring Garden.  
Project Update #12 - August 31, 2021
  • Completing the concrete work for the Bell Aliant manhole on Dresden Row; demolition is now complete;
  • Backfilling the underground electrical work in the Northwest quadrant of the Dresden Row intersection;
  • Continuing to install ductbanks along the south side of Spring Garden Road, between South Park Street and Dresden Row;
  • Beginning to remove the asphalt and cobblestones/tram tracks at the block between Birmingham Street and Queen Street.
  • Nova Scotia Power will begin to complete work within the vault located at Brenton/Spring Garden. 
Project Update #11 - August 24, 2021
  • Continuing the demolition of the existing communications vault at Dresden Row, which is to be expanded;
  • Backfilling the underground electrical work in the Northwest quadrant of the Dresden Row intersection;
  • Installing the ductbank in front of Scotiabank. The communications vault has been installed at the Brenton Street intersection by Scotiabank.
    • Pedestrians have been moved into the roadway around this work. Signage and traffic control staff have been positioned to direct customers through the area;
  • Installing soil cells along the north sidewalk starting by South Park Street;
  • Nova Scotia Power will be installing poles overnight. The work duration will be impacted by weather and ground conditions, but the tentative schedule is as follows:
    • Wednesday, August 25 from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. on Thursday, August 26 (North Side of Dresden Row and Spring Garden Road)  
    • Sunday, August 29 from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. on Monday, August 30 (South Side of Dresden Row and Spring Garden Road)     
    • Sunday, August 29 from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. on Monday, August 30 (North Side of Birmingham and Spring Garden Road)  
Project Update #10 - August 18, 2021
  • Demolishing the existing communications vault at Dresden Row, which is to be expanded;
  • Excavating for the communications vault to be installed at the Brenton Street intersection by Scotiabank. Pedestrians have been moved into the roadway around this work. Signage and traffic control staff have been positioned to direct customers through the area; 
  • A water shutdown is planned for Thursday, August 19, starting at 7 p.m. Notices have been circulated to those who will be impacted.
  • To complete this work, Birmingham Street will be closed to local traffic only starting at noon on Thursday and will be removed prior to 6 a.m. Friday, August 20. Parking and loading will be temporarily impacted while the work is taking place; and Nova Scotia Power will be installing poles overnight. The work duration will be impacted by weather and ground conditions. The tentative schedule is as follows:
    • Sunday, August 22 – Dresden Row 
    • Tuesday, August 25 – Birmingham Street
Project Update #9 - August 11, 2021
  • Grading gravels in the Dresden to Birmingham block, and begin prepping for the installation of curb;
  • Completing reinstatement of the sidewalk along Brenton Street;  
  • Excavating on the northside of South Park – Dresden in preparation for soil cell installation;
  • Continuing with the installation of underground electrical;
  • Nova Scotia Power has completed the drilling for new poles on Dresden Row and Birmingham Street (between Spring Garden and Clyde Street). Installation of new poles will happen overnight in the coming weeks. More information on timelines will be provided once confirmed.
Project Update #8 - July 27, 2021
  • Finishing subgrade work and gravels in the Dresden to Birmingham block; 
  • Beginning reinstatement of the sidewalk along Brenton Street;
  • Nova Scotia Power will be completing work along Brenton Street on Saturday, July 31;
  • Nova Scotia Power will begin installing new poles on Dresden Row (between Spring Garden and Clyde) this week starting on Wednesday, July 28 to Friday, July 30.
Project Update #7 - July 21, 2021

  • Finishing subgrade work and gravels in the Dresden to Birmingham block;

  • Removing the existing curb along Brenton Street and beginning reinstatement of the sidewalk and driveway;

  • The municipality will be relocating accessible parking spaces on Dresden Row and Birmingham Street to prepare for next week’s NSP operation on side streets (see below)

  • Nova Scotia Power will be pulling cable along Brenton Street on Sunday, July 25. Their crews will be onsite with a crane to complete this work;

  • The municipality will be relocating accessible parking spaces on Dresden Row and Birmingham Street to prepare for next week’s NSP operation on side streets.

Project Update #6 - July 13, 2021
  • Finishing the work on the storm laterals along the Dresden and Birmingham block;
  • Completing work in the section between Birmingham and Queen Street to prepare for the water shutdown this week;
  • Installing a gas lateral with Heritage Gas on Brenton Street;
  • Removing the existing curb along Brenton Street and beginning reinstatement of the sidewalk and driveway;
  • Thursday, July 15: Completed water shutdown #2 with Halifax Water. This shutdown will impact residents between Dresden Row down to Brunswick Street. See the notice sent to impacted properties.
Project Update #5 - July 6, 2021
  • Monday, July 5, 2021: the contractor completed water shutdown #1, between South Park Street and Dresden Row. This shutdown included the replacement of two valves, as well as capping and plugging service laterals, and replacing a portion of a lead service lateral.
  • Continuing work on the stormwater pipe along the Dresden and Birmingham block
  • Beginning work on a new drain for a Nova Scotia Power manhole located on Brenton Street.
  • Continuing to complete the ductbank along Brenton Street, which includes pouring concrete for the remainder of work within this project’s work zone.
  • Wednesday, July 7: removed the large tree on Spring Garden between Dresden and Birmingham.
Project Update #4 - June 30, 2021
  • Completing the installation of storm laterals, including catchbasin work in the South Park and Dresden block.
  • Completing the installation of gravels along the roadway in the South Park and Dresden block.
  • Continuing with the duct bank work along Brenton Street. About 75% of this work has been completed so far.
  • Beginning to remove the tram tracks and cobblestones from the Dresden to Birmingham block.
Project Update #3 - June 22, 2021
  • Continuing with installation of storm laterals, including catchbasin work, in the South Park and Dresden block.
  • Continuing with the roadway removal, which includes the surface, tram tracks, and cobblestones, along the Dresden and Birmingham block.
  • Continuing with the duct bank work along Brenton Street.
  • A mock shutdown was completed on Monday night to ensure all water valves are operational in advance of the real shut-downs needed later. This testing should minimize the risk of unexpected interruptions in water service. 
Project Update #2 - June 17, 2021
  • Continuing with the roadway removal, which includes the surface, tram tracks, cobblestones, and in some areas, the curbs.
  • Excavating the west sidewalk on Brenton Street to install the duct bank. This work requires blocking off the northern portion of Brenton Street and the remaining sidewalk on the west side of the street.
  • Beginning work on the storm sewer system, which includes work on the catch basins, catch basin leads and other storm services.
Project Update #1 - June 8, 2021
  • Fencing is now up and secured, with all required detours in place. This week the contractor will be completing: 
  • Pre-construction video inspection and documentation (including pipes)
  • Hydro excavation (confirms locations of underground infrastructure) - at a few locations on Wednesday, June 9
  • Coordination with Halifax Water to investigate planned water service changes
  • Removal of roadway asphalt and old, buried tram tracks
  • Marking various proposed features (new curb, water service changes, other)
May 2021

Council has approved the award of the construction tender. View the details related to the award of the tender. Work is underway to prepare for construction beginning in Spring 2021.

December 2020

Construction of a new traffic signal at Sackville Street and Dresden Row has been completed.

To improve traffic circulation in the area and increase loading and parking space on the side streets, parts of Dresden Row and Birmingham Street are becoming one-way. Dresden Row will be northbound, between Clyde Street and Artillery Place, but will remain two-way between Artillery Place and Sackville Street. Birmingham Street will be southbound between Clyde Street and Artillery Place. These changes came into effect Tuesday, Dec. 1.

View an information handout showing the changes coming to the intersections and the one way streets.

Accompanying these one-way changes are a temporary pilot project at the irregular intersection of Artillery Place, Queen Street, and Birmingham Street. This project will test out a new intersection design to improve the safety of this intersection, and will be in place the week of November 30. View the design.

 

Detour map (PDF)