Grahams Grove, Penhorn, Westphal & Main Active Transportation Connections

Project Overview

Improvements are being considered for several streets in Dartmouth, including portions of the Highway 111 interchange, Main Street, Tacoma Drive, Prince Albert Road, Harris Road, and more.

The project will aim to improve safety and access for active transportation users through improved pedestrian infrastructure and new all-ages-and-abilities (AAA) cycling connections along several streets identified in the Integrated Mobility Plan and Active Transportation Priorities Plan.

For this project, a “complete streets” approach will be applied in order to “meet the needs of all ages, abilities and travel modes in the design and maintenance of streets”. As one of the Foundational Policies of the Integrated Mobility Plan, the complete streets approach uses a holistic, flexible, and context-sensitive approach to designing new streets or changes to existing streets. Designs will prioritize pedestrians and cyclists while also considering transit, accessibility, urban forestry, vehicle traffic, and other factors.

The goals of the project are to make the following connections:

• Lake Banook Multi-use Pathway to Penhorn Multi-use Pathway
• Lake Banook Multi-use Pathway between active transportation bridge and Micmac Boulevard on-ramp
• Prince Albert Road to Waverley Road
• Waverley Road to Main Street
• Main Street to Tacoma Drive where it meets Gordon Avenue
• Prince Albert Road to Main Street
• Harris Road to Valleyfield Road

Cycling connections along Prince Albert Road and Harris Road were proposed as local street bikeways within the Integrated Mobility Plan, as part of the Regional Centre AAA Cycling Network. Local street bikeways are bicycle routes on local (often residential) streets, which may be modified to lower vehicle speeds and volumes, allowing people to share the road comfortably without the need for designated bicycle lanes. The suitability of local street bikeways in these locations is still being reviewed.

Get Involved

The project team will be presenting the project at HRM's Active Transportation Advisory Committee on January 19 from 4:30-6:30. You can find the project under item 9.1.1 of the meeting agenda for the meeting here and watch the meeting live on YouTube)

Round one of public engagement has closed as of November 30, 2022. A summary of the feedback received can be found in the What We Heard Report. Opportunities to provide feedback included:

• An online survey - Open from November 14 to 30, 2022
• An online interactive mapping tool - Open from November 14 to 30, 2022
• Two outdoor pop-up events on Saturday, November 19, 2022 on the Lake Banook Multi-use Pathway near Paddler’s Cove Plaza and outside of the Fairbanks Centre at Shubie Park
• Direct correspondence with the Project Manager, Megan Backos at backosm@haifax.ca or 902-478-9725

Next Steps

The next opportunity to provide feedback will be Round Two of engagement in spring 2023, when the project team will bring street design options to the public that have been developed based in part on the feedback received.

Dartmouth East Active Transportation Project

Another active transportation project is currently taking place adjacent to the Grahams Grove, Penhorn, Westphal & Main study area. The objective of the Dartmouth East Active Transportation Project is to design cycling infrastructure along Woodlawn Road, Valleyfield Road, Mount Edward Road, Caledonia Road and Breeze Drive. These roadways were identified in the Active Transportation Priorities Plan to better connect residential neighborhoods to important destinations along Main Street and Portland Street as well as the Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC) and Woodlawn High School. Public engagement was completed in December, 2022, which included presenting concept designs for feedback.

Context

What is Active Transportation?

The term “active transportation” (or “AT”) encompasses all modes of non-motorized or human-powered transportation. This includes walking and wheeling (referring to the use of assistive devices), cycling, roller blading, skateboarding, and more. It also includes low-speed electric forms of transportation like e-bikes and electric wheelchairs.

Some people depend on active transportation to get where they need to go, due to a lack of alternatives, while others choose to use active transportation as a preferred form of commute, exercise, recreation, or leisure.

What is Active Transportation Infrastructure?

Active transportation infrastructure usually refers to specially designed routes, such as sidewalks, bike lanes, multi-use pathways, trails and local street bikeways. Active transportation is enhanced when it includes complete streets elements like seating, signage, and green space.

Active transportation improves the physical and mental health of users, reduces carbon footprints, attracts visitors, and boosts local businesses through increased traffic. When done well, infrastructure improvements that support active transportation often improve equity and accessibility, creating a safer, more comfortable, and more convenient routes for everyone

The Integrated Mobility Plan

This project is part of a municipal-wide initiative to connect communities, and make neighbourhoods more comfortable places to bike, walk or roll called the Integrated Mobility Plan (IMP). This plan intends to improve transportation links between residents and their communities. The IMP focuses on creating connected, healthy, affordable and sustainable travel options, and provides direction to create active transportation infrastructure like sidewalks, pathways, transit options and road changes.

The Active Transportation Priorities Plan

The Active Transportation Priorities Plan identifies projects for the Municipality, with the purpose of doubling the number of residents who chose to walk or bike for trips to work, school, shopping and services. The plan includes recommendations for active transportation facilities, maintenance, promotions and events, and education.Active Transportation Priorities Plan