Starting mid-August through December 2022, Public Works will be completing road safety and Active Transportation (AT) upgrades at the intersection of Joseph Howe Drive and Highway 102, Exit 0.
Construction work will take place on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., however there will be periods where evening and weekend work is required to minimize traffic disruption.
This project aims to improve safety and connectivity for people walking and bicycling at this busy intersection by creating a more formal AT crossing, reducing crossing distances for pedestrians and cyclists, improving sight lines, and increasing the traffic island waiting area.
This supports the development of the Regional Centre Cycling Network outlined in the Integrated Mobility Plan to establish a safer and more connected active transportation network.
The upgrades will create an important link in the Regional Centre AAA Cycling Network to improve AT access from the Chain of Lakes Trail on the west side of Joseph Howe Drive to Elliott Street on the east side of Joseph Howe Drive. There are short-term plans to continue this link to the Bayers Road multi-use pathway to better connect the Halifax peninsula and communities to the west such as Fairview and Clayton Park. This project will also include establishing a local street bikeway connection from Elliott Street to Ralston Avenue and installing a multi-use pathway (MUP) from Ralston Avenue to Pennington Street. The next phase will improve the AT crossing of the CN rail cut.
The project is being co-funded by Nova Scotia and Canada under the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program.
While work is ongoing, here's what to expect:
- Driving impacts:
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Delays due to lane reduction; however, at least one lane of traffic in both directions will be maintained in the project area throughout construction.
Right turns off Highway 102 onto Joseph Howe Drive will be restricted at certain times for approximately 3 to 4 weeks starting Monday, August 22. A Variable Message Board warning sign(s) will be placed on the highway to inform drivers of the right turn restriction before they exit and there will be a “no right turns” sign installed at the intersection. The ramp will remain open during peak hours (Monday to Friday, 7-9 a.m. and 4-6 p.m.).
Commuters will have the choice to stay on highway and turn right at Connaught Avenue, or go through the intersection and turn left on to Joseph Howe Drive and then right on Bayers Road.
- Walking & rolling impacts:
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Periods when the east sidewalk (between Spruce Street and Abbott Drive) will be closed, as well as periods where the west trail (between Dutch Village Road and Ashburn Golf Club driveway) are closed.
At least one sidewalk on either side of Joseph Howe Drive in the project area will remain open during construction. Please note on-site posted signage.
- Cycling impacts:
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Cyclists using the Chain of Lakes Trail (COLT) on the west side of the road will have periods where the trail is closed between Dutch Village Road and Ashburn Golf Club driveway.
Cyclists will need to be mindful of the posted signage and adjust their route accordingly. This may include exiting the Chain of Lake Trail and crossing Joseph Howe Drive at Springvale Avenue and Bayers Road to detour around the closed trail within the construction zone.
Project Benefits
- A formal trail connection will be established across Joseph Howe Drive between the Chain of Lakes Trail and Elliott Street.
- Pedestrian and cyclist crossing distances will be shortened and the traffic island will be enlarged to create a safer and more comfortable waiting area for cyclists and pedestrians.
- The right turn channel from Highway 102 to Joseph Howe Drive will be reconfigured to create a “Smart Right Turn Channel” to help reduce vehicle turning speeds, shorten the channel width and improve the viewing angle for vehicles yielding to the through-traffic on Joseph Howe Drive.
- Crosswalks are being widened and pavement marking changed
- Pedestrian push buttons will be upgraded to Accessible Pedestrian Signals and push button locations will be located closer to the trail crossings for more convenient and easy access. The detection system will be upgraded to a system capable of detecting pedestrians and cyclists
- Vehicle turning movements are being separated from the pedestrian and cyclist crossing phases to reduce conflicts.