News Release

Lane Direction Changes for Downtown Halifax Streets

(September 12, 2011) - Effective Monday, September 19, 2011, some of the downtown Halifax streets will change from one-way traffic, to two-way (and vice versa).

“This project was sparked by a recommendation from HRMbyDesign and developed through public consultation,” said Ken Reashor, Director of Transportation and Public Works. “Overall, these changes will result in better organization of one-way streets in the downtown and allow for new bike lanes and on-street parking spaces.”

This is the first set of changes to traffic direction downtown. Two more phases, which will include additional downtown streets, are scheduled for October 2011 and March 2012. HRM is advising motorists to refer to the information below and on our website, before you plan your downtown route.

Streets affected by this change are:

• Converting to one-way: Blowers (between Grafton and Barrington), Market (between Prince and Carmichael), Sackville (between Brunswick and Barrington), George (between Barrington and Hollis) and Granville (between Salter and Sackville).
• Converting to two-way: Grafton (between Prince and Sackville).
• Changing direction: Market Street (between Sackville and Prince).
Over the past several years, HRM worked with downtown businesses on the development of a plan to modify traffic patterns on the downtown street network. The plan was first presented at an open house information session targeted at downtown businesses in April 2010. Since that time, modifications have been made based on feedback. A final proposal was presented at an open house session in November 2010.

Further information on the project is available online at www.halifax.ca/traffic

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For more information, please contact:
Michaelyn Thompson
HRM Public Affairs
490-5940