Dutch Village Road Complete Streets

Cross-section of Dutch Village Road

Cross-section of Dutch Village Road

Last updated: Oct. 29, 2025

Project overview

Regional Council voted unanimously in support of the Dutch Village Road Complete Streets Functional Plan on June 9, 2020. 

This project aims to improve safety and address active transportation and transit gaps along Dutch Village Road. Features and considerations include:

  • A sidewalk on the west side of the street, addressing the current sidewalk gap.
  • Raised protected cycle lanes on both sides of the street.
  • New accessible concrete bus stop pads.
  • Shortening existing pedestrian crossing distances and adding accessible pedestrian signals.
  • Additional high-quality pedestrian crossings.
  • Improved connections to the Chain of Lakes Trail.
  • On-street parallel parking spaces, replacing the perpendicular parking spaces which are encroaching on the right of way.
  • Streetscaping elements, such as benches, trees, planters, waste receptacles and pocket parks.

These improvements support the goals of the Integrated Mobility Plan (IMP), Road Safety Plan, Active Transportation Priorities Plan, and Halifax Municipal Planning Strategy. 

Project status

Dexter Construction has been awarded the contract for this project. 

Construction began in April 2025 and is expected to continue through the construction season to December 2025.

Project impacts

Residents and commuters should expect traffic disruptions, including:

  • Lane reductions to single-lane, stop-and-go traffic during some phases of construction.
  • Temporary sidewalk closures — at least one accessible sidewalk will remain open at all times.
  • Periodic detours for vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists.

Access to businesses and properties will be maintained throughout the project.

The work is expected to proceed in phases, with initial activity on the west side of Dutch Village Road.

After work on the west side of Dutch Village Road is completed, southbound traffic flows will be restored and the intersections along the west side of Dutch Village Road will reopen. Following this, intersection and roadway improvements will begin on the east side of Dutch Village Road. The municipality will provide advance notice of changes to traffic flows in the project area.
 

Project updates and communications

The contractor is responsible for providing written notification of upcoming construction impacts to residents and businesses directly adjacent to the project area.  

Traffic impacts and other related Public Service Announcements (PSAs) will be shared with media, posted on ⁠halifax.ca/news and on the municipal Bluesky account: @hfxgov.bsky.social

Recent project-related PSAs:

Spring 2024 – Final review and completion of detailed design.

Spring 2022 – detailed design begins.

Winter 2022 – preliminary design completed.

Spring 2020 – Regional Council approved the recommendations of the Dutch Village Road Complete Streets project based on the staff report. 

Summer 2018 – functional plan work was initiated.

December 2017 – Regional Council adopts the Integrated Mobility Plan (IMP). The IMP identifies Dutch Village Road as a priority sidewalk connection given the lack of pedestrian infrastructure, presence of bus stops, passenger volume and nearby land uses, including daycares, and shops.

Summer 2016 – Municipal Planning Strategy (MPS) and Land Use By-law (LUB) amendments enabled pedestrian-oriented residential and commercial growth in the Dutch Village Road area. With the anticipated growth arose a critical need to accommodate pedestrians and ensure the corridor is accessible.

Fall 2014 – Regional Council approves Making Connections: 2014-19 Halifax Active Transportation Priorities Plan. Dutch Village Road intersects with the Chain of Lakes Trail, which is why the street is identified in the Active Transportation Priorities Plan as a candidate bicycle route. This project includes the opportunity to link the community of Fairview with the regional greenway network, as well as the emerging All Ages & Abilities bicycle network on the peninsula, including the multi use path that will be constructed on Bayers Road. 

Common questions

How long will construction last, and when will the road reopen?  

The Dutch Village Road Complete Streets project is expected to reach substantial completion in December 2025, at which point the road will be fully reopened to traffic. Final touches may continue beyond that date, but major work will be completed, and the road will be safe and accessible for public use.

What is a Complete Street? 

Complete Streets are planned, designed, and maintained to make travel safe, convenient, and comfortable for people of all ages and abilities and using all transportation modes.

Why are the lanes being narrowed on the Dutch Village Road construction project? 

Dutch Village Road is a key street serving local commercial and residential properties, and it plays an important role in the municipal roadway network. The lanes have been intentionally narrowed to improve safety and accessibility for all road users, while still meeting width requirements for private and commercial vehicles, including large transport trucks.

This design maintains the same number of vehicle lanes, and change creates space for:

  • Improved access to Halifax Transit with;
  • Safer active transportation routes and crosswalks;
  • An additional sidewalk along the west side of Dutch Village Road; and
  • Landscaping, grass and tree planting, incorporating greenery into this community.

The municipality follows guidelines provided by the Transportation Association of Canada, who have shown that narrower lanes help:

  • Calm traffic: Drivers tend to slow down when lanes are narrower, reducing the likelihood and severity of crashes.
  • Improve pedestrian safety: Narrow lanes allow for shorter crossing distances and more space for sidewalks, bike lanes, and buffers.
  • Support multimodal transportation: By adjusting how the municipal right of way is used, municipalities can better accommodate cyclists, transit users, and pedestrians.

This approach reflects urban design principles that prioritize safety and accessibility for all road users, not just vehicles.

Why do the lanes feel narrower than before? 

The previously overly wide pavement of Dutch Village Road encouraged faster travel and turn speeds. The new lanes have been designed following municipal standards, with a minimum width of 3.3 metres for regular lanes and 3.0 metres for turning lanes (plus gutter pan, adding additional width throughout). 

These widths are sufficient to safely accommodate all standard vehicle types, including passenger cars and large transport trucks, as defined by the Transportation Association of Canada. Passenger vehicles are defined as having a width of 2.0 metres, and large transport trucks are 2.6 metres wide. 

The narrower lane widths reduce crossing distances for pedestrians, improving sight lines and increasing their safety. 

Are the lanes being narrowed for bike lane installation? 

No, the lanes have been narrowed following municipal standards and Transportation Association of Canada guidelines, to prioritize safety and accessibility for all road users, not just vehicles. The right of way width in this area is sufficient to add bike lanes without impacting road width.

Will large transport trucks be able to drive on this road? 

Yes. The road design accommodates large transport trucks, which are approximately 2.6 metres wide. The lane widths and turning space provide enough clearance for these vehicles to operate safely. 

Can emergency vehicles pass if cars are in both lanes?  

Yes, the road has been designed to meet safety and accessibility standards, including the ability for emergency vehicles to navigate through traffic. In emergency situations, vehicles are expected to yield and make space. The lane widths in this area support this maneuverability and will accommodate emergency vehicle access. 

Why does the section of Dutch Village Road that is under construction feel so narrow? 

With construction efforts still underway, there are traffic cones and barriers along the roadway for traffic control setup, which may make the roadway appear to be narrower. Once construction is complete and these are removed, the roadway will feel more open and comfortable to drive on. 

Will all vehicle types have the space needed to turn at intersections?  

All intersections have been designed and tested for turning movements. Some intersections have tighter turns, which has enabled the construction of shorter, safer pedestrian crossings. The tighter turns also help reduce vehicle speeds and reduce rolling stops while still enabling vehicles to make the turn safely. 

Will parking be affected by the new road design?  

Yes. The previous informal perpendicular parking, which posed safety risks and often obstructed traffic, has been replaced with designated parallel parking. This change enhances safety for all road users by improving visibility, reducing conflicts with moving vehicles, and ensuring consistent traffic flow. The new parking design also aligns with best practices for urban street design and supports a more organized and accessible streetscape.

How will the new road design impact transit service?  

Transit service will continue to operate along Dutch Village Road using the same routes as before. The road design has been developed to support all modes of transportation, including public transit, without disruption.

This project includes installing improved access for pedestrians and cyclists to updated Halifax Transit stops along both sides of Dutch Village Road.

Why is the landscaped space between the street and the bike lanes/sidewalk narrower than on other streets?  

The landscaped boulevards (space between the curb and bicycle lane) along Dutch Village Road are slightly narrower than typical municipal standards. A variance was approved to reduce their width by 30 centimetres, from 1.5 metres to 1.2 metres.

Where Dutch Village Road previously lacked sidewalks along the west side of the road, this adjustment allows space for sidewalks and bike lanes on both sides of the street while maintaining safety and accessibility for all users and improving access to local businesses and residences. The design maximizes the use of available space to create a safer, more connected corridor for pedestrians, cyclists, transit riders and drivers.

 

Questions?

Call 311 or email contactus@311.halifax.ca.