Province explores ways to reduce traffic on Halifax peninsula

CITYnews halifax By Blake Priddle

The Nova Scotia Government and HRM are both looking for ways to reduce traffic congestion in the Halifax peninsula.

Both levels of government will be looking at ways to not only manage traffic congestion but also improve safety, making travelling on the peninsula more efficient.

“This review will examine key streets to improve and balance how cars, transit options and heavy trucks can move as safely and efficiently as possible,” said Public Works Minister Fred Tilley.

The province said the review will also include additional access points to the peninsula from the west, assessing impacts of potential network changes and identifying strategies to improve heavy truck traffic to and from Halifax Port Authority facilities, among others. The data will be collected by using activity-based travel demand models by Link Nova Scotia and HRM. The tool will simulate how, when and where people travel.

A request for proposals was issued on Wednesday, and qualified firms will have until Jan. 22 to submit proposals.

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“It’s impacting quality of life, slowing productivity and making it harder for people to get to work, school and appointments on time,” Andy Fillmore, Mayor, Halifax Regional Municipality, said in the press release. “Investments in transportation aren’t just about adding a new way to get around; they’re about rethinking how we move through our region.”

This initiative is aiding two other projects the province is spearheading, including the Highway 102 improvements and the Regional Transportation Plan (RTP), which Nova Scotia announced in August. The blueprint lays out multiple things the governments plan on doing over the next 20 years and beyond.