A new transportation plan is in the works for HRM.
Councillor Kathryn Morse says the city is working on tackling congestion with what they call the Integrated Mobility Plan (IMP) that was introduced last week.
In a lengthy statement on social media, Morse outlines that there are 39 recommended actions that focus on transportation as well as infrastructure that supports activities such as walking and cycling.
“The plan aims in the years ahead for a 70/30 split between drivers and transit users/pedestrians/cyclists,” says Morse.
The first IMP was introduced in 2017 and since then Morse says, our population has grown by 100,000 which is contributing to congestion, especially on the peninsula.
In the next decade, the city’s population is expected to grow from just over half a million people, to 625,000.
“If everyone tries to go it alone it will be gridlock,” explains Morse. “In a city with limited physical space, we have to adapt as we grow, and investments in public transit and related infrastructure are critical to keeping everyone moving,” adds Morse.
In order to do this, she says, is to encourage more people to use transit by making it faster and more reliable and the Bayers Road priority lanes are example of this.
“By having dedicated lanes, Halifax Transit buses can cut through traffic rather than get stuck in it,” says Morse.
Ten kilometres of dedicated bus lanes have already been built with more planned on Robie Street and other major transit routes.
“As an increasing share of HRM residents choose transit, congestion will be more manageable and everyone will be able to get around better,” says Morse.
Congestion in Halifax has been an ongoing issue; however, the budget committee did just approve 10 new buses as part of the spring budget that will be ratified Tuesday and last year, the redevelopment of the Windsor Street Exchange.
The IMP, Morse says, is a blueprint, approved at the Transportation Standing Committee and will be discussed at Regional Council in April.
More details will be revealed once the plan is given the green light by council.
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