Here's the information contained in the most recent Integrated Mobility Program quarterly update. Please note: the highlights for Q2 & Q3 of 2020 have been combined. View the PDF.
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HEADING BACK TO WORK or SCHOOL?
LEARN ABOUT YOUR OPTIONS
We’re making it more comfortable & convenient to walk, roll, cycle & take transit. Now is the perfect time to re-think your mobility habits and explore other ways of getting around in Halifax.
WORK FROM HOME WHEN POSSIBLE
Working from home a few days a week can be a long-term solution to decrease commuting costs, spend less time in traffic, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
BACK ON THE BUS
With Halifax Transit service back up to 100% and measures in place like enhanced cleaning, mandatory masks, & physical separation for transit operators, taking the bus or ferry is a comfortable option for getting around the region. Consider taking public transit to save money on your commute and reduce the number of vehicles on the road.
GET THERE BY BIKE
With new temporary and permanent bicycle lanes, it’s more comfortable than ever to ride a bicycle in Halifax. Check out our bike map to plan your next trip. We have also partnered with the Ecology Action Centre to bring you videos to help you make the transition to cycling.
RETHINK YOUR CARPOOL
If you are returning to work, carpool with someone from your bubble. Contact your local public health office for carpooling tips. Or if you don't feel comfortable getting back into a car with your carpool group just yet, reach out to a friend or colleague who cycles to work and ask them if they can show you the way. Riding together is a great way to build your confidence cycling on the street, and includes "built-in" physical distancing (a bicycle is about 2m in length).
SHOP SMART
Be strategic, plan ahead and group your errands together to limit your number of weekly trips.
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
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
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
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.
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.
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
INTEGRATED PLANNING: 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
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
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
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Strategic Transit Projects
On May 26, 2020 Halifax Regional Council unanimously adopted two initiatives to transform Halifax’s transportation system: (1) Rapid Transit Strategy that includes a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system and new ferry service; and (2) Electric Bus Proposal to replace Halifax Transit’s conventional buses to electric vehicles.
The Rapid Transit Strategy includes four proposed BRT lines and three new ferry routes. The BRT lines will operate every ten minutes and will be within walking distance of over 120,000 people and 100,000 jobs. The ferries will make direct connections between downtown Halifax and new terminals at
Mill Cove, Larry Uteck and Shannon Park.
The Electric Bus Proposal recommends converting Halifax Transit’s bus fleet to a low-carbon or zero-emission fleet. The goal is to electrify 50% of the fleet by 2028.
The municipality believes these proposals are well positioned to receive support from other levels of government, as they align with key provincial and federal priorities aimed at tackling climate change & improving public transit.
Both proposals have been submitted to the Province of Nova Scotia for funding consideration through the federal Public Transit Infrastructure Fund & the Green Infrastructure Fund, as well as, any additional stimulus funding streams that may become available.
For more information please refer to the Rapid Transit Strategy or the staff report.
These projects will generate numerous benefits including:
• Improving mobility options by providing more reliable, frequent, faster, connected and easier to use service.
• Lowering household transportation costs.
• Making transportation more sustainable by reducing vehicle use and decreasing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
• Building more equitable communities by providing mobility options for those unable to access private vehicles.
• Reducing air and noise pollution compared to traditional diesel buses, helping make streets and communities safer and healthier for all.
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Downtown Bikeways Implementation
HOLLIS STREET BICYCLE LANE
Construction of a protected bicycle lane on Hollis Street to create an “all-ages-and abilities” (AAA) cycling connection through downtown Halifax is nearing completion. The one-way, protected, bicycle lane includes pre-cast concrete curb and flexible bollards to separate bicycle and vehicle traffic. Also, pre-cast concrete platforms at bus stops, which provide shared space for people cycling and bus passengers, have been added to eliminate conflicts between buses and cyclists along the route.
LOWER WATER STREET
Recent changes to a section of Lower Water Street, completed in coordination with the ongoing Queens Marque development, provide significant improvements to the streetscape, as well as the comfort and safety of people walking, rolling, and cycling. The section of Lower Water Street between Prince Street and George Street now includes widened sidewalks, a raised bicycle lane, and reduced street crossing distances.
The Hollis Street protected bicycle lane and the new segment of raised bicycle lane on Lower Water Street are part of the implementation of the Downtown Bikeways plan, which was approved by Council in April 2019.
These projects also advance the IMP goal of creating a connected network of All Ages and Abilities (AAA) bicycle routes in the Regional Centre to make it more comfortable and convenient for residents to get around Halifax by cycling.
These routes will eventually connect to other Downtown Halifax ‘AAA’ bikeways, including facilities planned for George Street, Morris Street, Terminal Road, the redeveloped Cogswell District, and the remainder of Lower Water Street.
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Parking Pay Stations
Coming this fall to municipal streets, we are moving from individual meters to pay stations – this is a pay-by-plate, pay-by-zone system. You will notice concrete pads, pay stations, and signage being installed in the coming weeks and month
All municipal parking meters will be removed and pay stations will be installed throughout the paid parking areas. Signs will be installed on these blocks where the parking meters are being removed to indicate that payment is required on that street.
New parking technology will make it easier to pay by introducing more payment options like credit card, debit card, and smart pay. The ability to pay for and manage parking sessions with the mobile application HotSpot will continue. Payment is attached to your vehicle, not the parking space. This means your vehicle can move freely within the parking zone up to the time purchased or the maximum time allowed.
Interested in past newsletters? View them here:
IMP Q4 2019 Highlights - January 2020
IMP Q3 2019 Highlights - September 2019
IMP Q2 2019 Highlights - July 2019
IMP Q1 2019 Highlights - April 2019
IMP Q4 2018 Highlights - January 2019
IMP Q3 2018 Highlights - October 2018
IMP Q2 2018 Highlights - August 2018