Halifax— Four active transportation research and planning projects are moving forward after an investment of $582,000 from the governments of Canada and Nova Scotia, and Vélo Canada Bikes.
Announced by MP Andy Fillmore and David Trueman from Vélo Canada Bikes, these projects will ensure future active transportation infrastructure projects are safer, inexpensive, and a part of their communities.
Vélo Canada Bikes, Saint Mary’s University, the Halifax Regional Municipality, and Cycling Nova Scotia will each receive $50,000 from the federal government. Projects will support feasibility studies, research and data collection initiatives, and stakeholder engagements that will help create future active transportation projects.
Vélo Canada Bikes will develop a cost-benefit analysis tool for active transportation investments that can be used by policy makers and community stakeholders in Halifax. If successfully piloted, this tool could be put in the public domain, allowing people to assess the costs and benefits of such projects across Canada.
Cycling Nova Scotia will collaborate with municipalities and First Nations communities in Nova Scotia to develop plans for its Core Active Transportation Networks project. Since 2018, Cycling Nova Scotia has worked with nine communities. With this funding, Cycling Nova Scotia will be able to complete planning projects in two additional communities.
Halifax Regional Municipality will conduct research to evaluate the safety impact of high visibility crosswalk markings at signalized intersections. They will then develop an internal process to identify appropriate installation locations based on the evaluation results.
Saint Mary’s University will develop an active transportation plan. The final plan will outline where the university will build new greenways, sidewalks, and enhanced bicycle facilities and how it will integrate with the Halifax Active Transportation Plan.
These investments are part of Canada’s National Active Transportation Strategy, which aims to create and improve pathways, bike lanes, and pedestrian bridges all over the country.
“Taking the time to research and plan for active transportation will inform the success of future projects. These four projects will ensure future active transportation initiatives in Nova Scotia are cost-effective, safer and aligned with existing infrastructure.” – Andy Fillmore, Member of Parliament for Halifax on behalf of Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities