IMP Spring/Q2 2019 Highlights (PDF)/ July 2019
Past Newsletters
IMP Winter/Q1 2019 Highlights (PDF)/ April 2019
IMP Fall/Q4 2018 Highlights (PDF) / January 2019
IMP Summer/Q3 2018 Highlights (PDF) / October 2018
IMP Spring/Q2 2018 Highlights (PDF) / August 2018
IMP Spring/Q2 Details (PDF) / August 2018
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COMPLETE STREETS: 8 of 23 actions in flight
Objective: Meet the needs of all ages, abilities and travel modes in the design and maintenance of streets
LAST QUARTER
- Council approved Spring Garden Road Functional Plan (A43)
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TRANSPORTATION DEMAND MANAGEMENT (TDM): 10 of 15 action in flight
Objective: Reduce demand on the road network by supporting a range of convenient and reliable transportation modes and flexible work times and locations
LAST QUARTER
- Successfully hosted Bike Week 2019 - almost 50 events throughout the municipality (A60)
- Increased the total SmartTrip program partners to 17 (A64)
- Hired a TDM Intern
NEXT QUARTER
- Hire a Transportation Demand Management Coordinator
- Launch the free RideShark app that allows commuters to find sustainable travel options throughout the municipality (A56)
- Explore enhancements to SmartTrip program marketing in advance of Cogswell redevelopment (A64)
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ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION: 12 0f 20 actions in flight
Objective: Encourage walking and bicycling by building complete and connected networks that respond to the needs of urban, suburban and rural communities, for all ages and abilities
LAST QUARTER
- Built 4 kms of new sidewalks throughout municipality (A69)
- Received consultant’s report on pedestrian wayfinding options & opportunities. Approved a signage plan for a branded cycling wayfinding system (A75)
- Completed functional plan for Dutch Village Road sidewalk & bike lanes (A69)
- Approved Bikeway Projects:
- Downtown bikeways (Hollis St.,Lower Water St.,Terminal Rd., George St.) (A72)
- Tender awarded for construction of South Park St. bike lanes (Inglis St to Spring Garden Rd) (A72);
- Detailed design ongoing for Wyse Road and Hollis Street bikeways (A72)
NEXT QUARTER
- Start installation of first five segments of branded wayfinding system (Sackville Greenway, Chain of Lakes Greenway, Mainland North Trail & intersection of Allan, Windsor & Quingate) (A75)
- Open Porters Lake/ Exit 20 AT connector, new multi-use pathways on Forest Hills Parkway & Bissett Greenway Phase III (A7)
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TRANSIT: 11 of 17 actions in flight
Objective: Enhance transit service by increasing the priority of transit and improving the integration of transit service with land use and settlement patterns.
LAST QUARTER
- Halifax Transit increased ridership by 4.8% over 2018/19 year (A95)
- Continued video production & work on the “how to use transit” guide - multiple language translation (A55)
- Continued exploring options to reduce or eliminate transit’s youth fare (A57)
- Onboarded a marketing and communications consultant to assist with the promotion of the November 25/19 service adjustments as outlined in the Annual Transit Service Plan (A59)
- Presented Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) study to Transportation Standing Committee (A96)
- Presented Robie/Young Transit Priority Corridor Functional Design to Transportation Standing Committee. Report to Regional Council in summer 2019 (A90 & A91)
- Directed by Regional Council to not pursue commuter rail service further pending research into other higher order transit solutions, eg. BRT & ferry (A96-100)
NEXT QUARTER
- Compile findings of recent studies and projects to develop a framework for higher order transit options (A96 - 100)
- Construct additional Transit Priority Measures including Barrington Street bus lane-Devonshire Ave to North St (A90 & 92)
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PARKING: 4 of 9 actions in flight
Objective: Align parking management with the goal of shifting more trips to active transportation, transit and car-sharing, while supporting growth in the Regional Centre and in Transit Oriented Developments and Communities proposed by the plan.
LAST QUARTER
- Hosted a series of accessible parking engagement sessions with the disability community. Presented findings to the Accessibility Advisory Committee (A137)
- Awarded the parking technology contract to CALE systems. This new permit management system will replace municipal parking meters with a pay by plate system (A134 & 135)
- Completed a jurisdictional scan for using back in angle parking to increase on-street parking supply & established eligibility criteria (A136 & 137)
NEXT QUARTER
- Implementation of parking technology project, on street installation expected by Spring 2020 (A134)
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ROAD NETWORK: 12 of 15 actions in flight
Objective: Limit the expansion of the road network and focus any additional investment in road infrastructure on strategic upgrades that support the municipality’s mandate of encouraging a shift towards sustainable transportation modes
LAST QUARTER
- Completed safety reviews at Beaver Bank Connector/Old Sackville Rd & Hwy 118/Micmac Blvd intersections. Issued Request for Proposal for safety reviews at several intersections with demonstrated collision history (A4)
- Collaborated with Port of Halifax & provincial/federal governments to reconfigure Windsor Street Exchange (A122)
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FOUNDATIONAL POLICIES: 10 of 13 actions in flight
Objective: Carrying out the actions and consistently applying the policies will transform the way people move in the Halifax Region and help shape our communities for a sustainable future
NEXT QUARTER
- Implementation of crosswalk improvements: advanced yield to pedestrian at crosswalks with overhead flashing beacons; reflective strips on posts at standard marked crosswalks; rectangular rapid flashing beacons at four locations; three new crosswalks with overhead & side mounted flashing beacons (A6)
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LAND USE & TRANSPORTATION: 13 0f 17 actions in flight
Objective: To integrate the planning of the transportation network with community design to better facilitate active transportation and transit use through compact, mixed-use development
LAST QUARTER
- Completed Bedford Hwy Functional Plan, first ‘Strategic Corridor’ Plan since IMP adoption (A121)
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GOODS MOVEMENT: 1 of 8 actions in flight
Objective: Continue to facilitate the efficient and economically sound movement of goods in the Halifax region, while striving to minimize the associated social and environmental impacts
LAST QUARTER
- Collaborated with Port of Halifax and provincial/federal governments to increase goods movement capacity by rail btw Fairview & South End Container Terminals. Potential to reduce up to 75% of port-related truck traffic in downtown Halifax. (A110)
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FEATURED PROJECTS:
Centre Plan
A revised Centre Plan Package A was released on April 5/19. As part of the adoption path, the Plan was reviewed by the Community Design Advisory Committee (CDAC), a number of other advisory and standing committees of Council, and Community Councils. On June 18, 2019 the Committee of the Whole provided staff with direction on the final changes for the preparation of planning documents. First reading is anticipated to take place this summer, public hearing in September, and provincial approval before the end of the year. Achieving the settlement goals of the Centre Plan is fundamental to the success of the Integrated Mobility Plan. (A16)
Visit centreplan.ca for updates and more information.
Imagine Spring Garden Road
Working together to develop a shared vision for a great street in Halifax, Regional Council approved the Spring Garden Road Functional Design Report on April 16, 2019. This report included two recommendations which can be found on Shape Your City.
Consultants are currently exploring schematic design options for how the improved pedestrian realm will look and feel. Public engagement for two options took place in June. The ‘pocket park’ option features intense greenery and rain gardens while the ‘paver promenade’ proposes a more flexible hardscape approach. Both include significant tree planting, underground wires, and a focus on pedestrians & transit by widening the sidewalks and narrowing the roadway between South Park and Queen Streets. (A43)
