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CBC
6 days ago
- Politics
- CBC
Halifax council backs away from making Morris Street one-way for bike lane
Halifax regional council has reversed its course on a local bike lane, voting 11-5 on Tuesday to rescind a motion that would have turned Morris Street into a one-way road. "Sometimes it's better to make a strategic retreat on one battle than to lose the war," CAO Cathie O'Toole told council. "And we have much more to lose right now than we do to gain by proceeding." O'Toole was responding to a question from District 12 Coun. Janet Steele about what has changed since staff previously recommended moving forward with the bike lane a month ago. The CAO listed factors such as Premier Tim Houston's letter saying his government would overturn council's decision if they proceeded with the bike lane, and a letter from Emergency Medical Services Inc. that cited concerns about making Morris Street one-way. She also pointed out that critical work on congestion management is underway between the municipality and the province. This includes the Mill Cove ferry expansion, and a significant funding request for bus rapid transit and enabling technology that will help with the transportation network. "So from my perspective, it would be irresponsible for us not to bring forward for this recommendation to do the motion of rescission," O'Toole said. 'We have a relationship that we need to maintain' Coun. Cathy Deagle Gammon, who represents District 1, said she supported the motion to rescind because of the new information. "If there's more information that's going to let us make a better decision then let's go get the information," Deagle Gammon said. Coun. Jean St-Amand, who represents District 16, said he would support the motion to rescind. "I'm not wild about setting a precedent of changing course as the result of a threat," he said. "But I do recognize that we have a relationship that we need to maintain with the province. We need them as much as they need us and we need to re-establish that good, working relationship. I'm going to support the motion of rescission principally for that reason." 'Maybe we wait' St-Amand said if decisions are going to be data driven, "the idea that new information has been presented to us and to ignore that wouldn't be right either." Mayor Andy Fillmore, who originally brought forward the idea to walk back the Morris Street bike lane project, told council that Tuesday's discussion was about building a connected bike network and making the city greener, safer and more livable. "Today, we have a chance to correct course, not because we were wrong to act but because we are right to adjust our course. That's the job and that's the leadership people in communities expect from us," Fillmore said. While he voted in favour of rescinding the motion, Coun. Sam Austin who represents District 5 said he hopes to revisit the Morris Street bike lane idea in the future. "I think it's important for us to take a look at all the options, see what makes sense, see what our preferred option and if it turns out to be the one-way, well, maybe we just wait for a change in provincial government," Austin told reporters outside council. "No one is around forever, including myself, so circumstances change and if that's the best option, maybe we wait."
CTV News
18-06-2025
- General
- CTV News
Public offers opinions on proposed bike lane in Clayton Park, N.S.
Halifax held public sessions for feedback on proposed bike lanes in part of the city. Halifax held public sessions for feedback on proposed bike lanes in part of the city. People in the Lacewood drive area in Clayton Park, N.S., were invited to share their thoughts on the proposed bicycle lanes for Parkland and Regency Park drives on Wednesday during sessions from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., and from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. 'We're here today because Halifax Regional Municipality is consulting with residents about a proposed bike lane for Parkland Drive and Regency Drive. This project is being looked at as a possibility, do residents want it and also, if so, what designs could work for people,' says are councillor Janet Steele. Those who attended Wednesday's meeting shared many ideas for how to improve the plan. Currently, the proposed design will include protected, on-street bike lanes within the existing width of the street. This means no utilities or trees would need to be removed, although some street parking would be lost. 'Cyclists will have a dedicated lane going each way on Parkland Drive and on Regency Park Drive and eventually Regency Park will push through to Washmill Lake Drive, which will connect people to other parts of the city,' says Steele. This bikeway will connect key neighbourhood destinations including Belchers Marsh, the Canada Games Centre, Keshen Goodman Library and Halifax West High school. The Halifax Northwest Trails Association encourages more bike lanes. 'We have 10 little trails that are separated from each other,' says Jessica Boyd, chair of the association. Boyd says people currently walk or drive to the trails, but their goal is to make them more accessible, and bike lanes would help. 'It would be a fabulous thing for Halifax to have that network totally separate from the road,' says Boyd. The municipality will look at the intersections in the study area to see how they can be made more accessible and safer. 'I was concerned that as a pedestrian in a wheelchair that things would need to be more accessible for me, so I feel much better they seem to be listening to us so that's good,' says resident Joann Nodding. New locations for marked pedestrian crossings will be explored as well. 'For other residents, they may be concerned about potential parking loss, I'm hearing about that. Some residents are comfortable with using the Mainland Linear Trail for cycling; however they do point out that the Mainland Linear Trail is not available to them in the dark,' says Steele, who notes people have said they feel a cycling trail on the road would be better looked after in the winter. 'I think it's a great idea. I was concerned more about how they were going to do it. The streets are rather large, but I was concerned about winter and parking and so far they have not lots of options,' says resident Janice Rivest. Residents can also provide feedback on the municipality's website. The survey is open until July 2. The goal is to complete the project by the end of August. Clayton Park Halifax is proposing a bike lane in Clayton Park. (Source: Emma Convey/CTV News Atlantic) For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
