A Halifax Transit bus passes through the intersection of Spring Garden Road and Queen Street on Thursday. - Ryan TaplinBetter to delay and get it right than have the Spring Garden Road transit-only project fail again, agreed councillors on Thursday.
“I wish it wasn’t the case that drivers in Halifax were a bunch of a-holes, I do wish that, but the reality is, they are and they’re not going to respect just signage.”in July 2022 due to confused drivers and safety concerns. The plan for the 12-month pilot was to direct all traffic except for buses, bicycles and pedestrians away from the street, but it was a confusing mess for drivers and the only time it worked was when Halifax Regional Police were on site directing traffic.
Brad Anguish, executive director of transportation and public works, said those elements are in the updated approach unless councillors want to look at better, more expensive options. By having to go back to the drawing board, the pilot project likely won’t happen this summer, he added. “Spring Garden Road is the heartbeat of Halifax. Reducing it to another experiment is an insult to merchants and residents alike.”, staff pointed out key differences in the updated approach:A change to the signs that will be prohibitory instead of explanatory.Dedicating an onsite Halifax Transit supervisor for the duration of the pilot .
“I love the vision but I’m very worried about the implementation,” said Coun. Tim Outhit who was one of several councillors who voiced their concerns about how enforcement would work.