Latest news with #HalifaxRegionalMunicipality
CTV News
4 days ago
- Politics
- CTV News
Halifax's Morris Street to become one-way in favour of new bike lanes
A cyclist is seen on Morris Street in Halifax on July 9, 2025. (Callum Smith/CTV Atlantic) Halifax Regional Council unanimously voted down a motion at Tuesday evening's meeting that would further discuss possible alternate routes for the Morris Street East Connection. The Morris Street East Connection is a proposed bicycle network that would be accessible to all ages and abilities. A report recommends east-west cycling lanes in the south end of Halifax. The bike lanes would connect Morris Street, University Avenue and segments of South Street, Cartaret Street and Oakland Road. The current plan that was approved Tuesday night would also see Morris Street become a one-way street for vehicles. Council had asked to look at alternate designs for the project, but Coun. Laura White said the Morris Street bike lanes are the best option. 'I feel strongly that Morris is the best location for this cycle path that's been designed since 2017,' said White in an interview with CTV News. 'It's a design that has been well-researched and consulted.' The design was previously approved by council in October and again for the second time at Tuesday night's meeting. Mayor Andy Fillmore put forth a motion last month to pause the construction of new bike lanes in the municipality, citing a 'growing public concern over worsening traffic congestion.' Council voted 12-to-five against that motion – and in favour of proceeding with what's been in the works. 'Council is always looking to make decisions in the best interests of residents, of long-term sustainability, of finances, and we want to collaborate and work together to find the best solutions,' White said. 'It hasn't felt collaborative to this point; I'd really like it to go back in that direction.' White said a compromise made at Tuesday's meeting was to implement the Morris Street bike lanes tactically, which would save the city money and allow them to be put in sooner. Tactical lanes are bike lanes protected by concrete slabs. White said most tactical bike lanes in the city later become permanent facilities, which are more visually appealing. 'Another benefit of doing something tactically is that if it's not working, we can change it,' White said. The motion says staff will come back in two years with an evaluation report on the overall Peninsula South Complete Streets project, which includes the Morris Street East Connection. But the councillor said she doesn't want this to be a pilot project. 'This is a bike lane that has been planned since 2017,' White said. White said the bike lane would help further fulfill the AAA network – an 'All Ages and Abilities' bikeway – the city is late on delivering. 'For now, we need to deliver on what we said we were going to do in 2017,' White said. With files from CTV Atlantic's Callum Smith For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
CBC
5 days ago
- Politics
- CBC
NDP leader wants Halifax transportation study released
Social Sharing With Nova Scotia's capital city continuing to struggle with traffic congestion and cost-of-living challenges — drawing comparisons to Canada's largest city — NDP Leader Claudia Chender says it's time for the public to see a government report on transportation in the Halifax region. Chender was responding several days after a CBC News report showed that housing and transportation costs in Halifax for 2024 were similar to those in Toronto. The Progressive Conservative government has announced steps throughout its mandates to try to boost housing stock, although Chender said more needs to be done on that front. But when it comes to public transit in Halifax Regional Municipality, there has been "almost no action," she said during a news conference on Monday. "We need action on that today. It's becoming less and less reliable to take transit in Halifax at a time when we need it more and more." Report still not public Having an effective public transit system is a way to save commuters money while also addressing congestion on the roads, which has increased since the COVID-19 pandemic, said Chender. During its first mandate, the Progressive Conservatives created the Joint Regional Transportation Agency, an entity tasked with looking at transportation throughout HRM. The organization has since been rebranded as Link Nova Scotia and given a provincewide mandate. Prior to that change, however, the agency produced a report looking at transportation issues and options to improve things for the Halifax area. The government first got a draft of the report a little less than a year ago before eventually getting the final report earlier this year. To date, however, it has not been made public. "One would have to assume that active transportation and public transportation are big chunks of that report that this government so far has not wanted to release, talk about or act upon," said Chender. Some portions of the report, which contemplate expanding the highways leading to and around HRM and exploring a commuter light-rail system, were included in the Progressive Conservative platform during last year's provincial election. But there have been no further details since then. Speaking to reporters recently, Public Works Minister Fred Tilley could not say when the report would be made public or explain why it's taking so long to share it. "We want to action the report, obviously, so we're looking at things that we can get actioned and in a timeline," he said. "I understand the frustration with it, but we will be releasing that report once we have more information to share, as opposed to just sharing the report."
CTV News
6 days ago
- Business
- CTV News
Halifax designates four new locations for affordable housing
Halifax City Hall is home to the Halifax Regional Municipal government and is one of the oldest public buildings in Nova Scotia. (CTV Atlantic/Jesse Thomas) Halifax Regional Municipality is launching the Surplus Lands for Affordable Housing Pilot Program through the Housing Accelerator Fund. The program aims to make surplus municipal land available for non-profit organizations to create affordable housing communities. 'The goal of this program is to reduce the upfront costs of non-profit housing construction by eliminating land acquisition costs, and providing land for one dollar to eligible, non-profit organizations,' the municipality says in a news release. The pilot program includes four properties: 48 Pinecrest Drive, Dartmouth 15 Laurelcrest Drive, Eastern Passage 18 Scotia Drive, Bedford 6850 Bayers Road, Halifax The municipality will also be considering applications for the pilot project that meet the current residential land use rules for each property. Those that meet the requirements will offer new rental units at below average market rents and be ready to start construction by October 2026. Community engagement sessions will be held around the municipality to learn about the new program and ask questions. Sessions will be held on: Tuesday, July 15, 6 to 8 p.m. at Zatzman Sportsplex, Nantucket Room (110 Wyse Road, Dartmouth) Tuesday, July 22, 6 to 8 p.m. at Halifax Forum, Maritime Hall (2901 Windsor Street, Halifax) Monday, July 28, 6 to 8 p.m. at Eastern Passage Cow Bay Lions Club (65 Hornes Road, Eastern Passage) Tuesday, August 12, 5 to 7 p.m. at Bedford Public Library (15 Dartmouth Road, Bedford) More about the program and open house events are available on For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
CTV News
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- CTV News
Halifax prepares for Canada Day celebrations
First at Five looks at how Maritimers plan to spend Canada Day. From Citadel Hill to the waterfront, Canada Day preparations are well underway in Halifax, with thousands of people expected to gather across the city for live music, fireworks and a celebration that honours Mi'kmaw culture. 'There are so many events happening,' said Brynn Budden, spokesperson for the Halifax Regional Municipality. 'Some of the featured performers on stages throughout the city tomorrow include Boogie Beach, Big Canoe and many more.' The municipality says the day's programming has been developed in close collaboration with Indigenous communities to recognize Mi'kmaw traditions and culture. 'When I tell sweat – and hopefully not any tears – a lot of work goes into this event every year,' said Budden. This year's events include a gathering on the Halifax Waterfront, a free concert hosted by the African Nova Scotian Music Association in Dartmouth, and multiple stages featuring a wide range of musical performances in downtown Halifax. The festivities will conclude with the city's annual fireworks display over the harbour, weather permitting. The Halifax Citadel National Historic Site will also be offering free admission on July 1, providing families and tourists a chance to explore the landmark at no cost. Canada Day Halifax is getting ready for Canada Day celebrations. (Source: Hafsa Arif/CTV News Atlantic) For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
CTV News
25-06-2025
- General
- CTV News
Former Geary Street encampment site in Dartmouth, N.S., vacant, crews install fencing
A man is pictured holding an eviction notice outside of his tent at the Geary Street green space in Dartmouth, N.S. Three days after the deadline to official de-designate the Geary Street encampment site in Dartmouth, N.S., the area is now officially empty as crews put up fencing. The Halifax Regional Municipality de-designated the location on May 28. People living and sleeping in the area had until June 22 to find another place to stay. 'Currently, there are several available spaces within multiple provincial indoor shelters and temporary housing,' a news release from the municipality reads. 'As a result, the municipality directed that people sheltering at Geary Street green space vacate this location. Over the past three years, this site has consistently had fewer individuals sleeping rough and has also recorded the lowest usage among designated locations in recent months.' The municipality said three people were still sheltering at the site as of Wednesday morning. Municipal housing and homelessness staff helped them move to 'alternative locations' and the area is now vacant, according to the municipality. 'Due to the heavy use of the area as a designated location, it will need to be remediated,' the release reads. 'Now that it is vacant, it will be inspected and a plan will be developed to determine how long it will take to clean and remediate the space.' Last year the municipality de-designated the encampment site on University Avenue in Halifax. There are now four remaining sites: Green Road Park in Dartmouth the Barrington Street green space Cogswell Park Lower Flinn Park in Halifax The municipality says there are currently 48 tents and four trailers spread across these four sites, which were established in July 2022. For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
