News release

Government Supports Sustainable Transportation in Halifax

Energy (June 2002 - July 2018)

Government is supporting three new sustainable transportation projects in Halifax Regional Municipality that help connect residents and visitors to community hubs and promote active living.

Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab, on behalf of Energy Minister Michel Samson, announced funding through government's Connect2 sustainable transportation grant program today, Oct. 16, at a St. Margarets Bay Road community event.

"We're investing in sustainable transportation to encourage healthier living, reduce our environmental footprint, and give Nova Scotians more options for how they travel between destinations," said Ms. Diab. "Government is proud to support projects that connect people to their communities, and to one another."

Government is providing $50,000 to Halifax Regional Municipality to help build the Chain of Lakes Bridge and design a segment of active transportation greenway, a quarter-million-dollar project that will link St. Margarets Bay Road with the Chain of Lakes Trail. The first phase is a bridge across the Chain of Lakes stream that connects to the trail. The second phase includes the design of a greenway connection to Northwest Arm Drive and St. Margarets Bay Road.

"The Chain of Lakes Trail is a great asset to our communities and it is fantastic to see so many people participating in varied activities on the trail such as walking, biking, rollerblading or using it to get to work," said Councillor Linda Mosher, District 9 – Halifax West Armdale. "We are pleased to be able to connect new neighbourhoods so even more people can have safe access to the Chain of Lakes Trail with this new bridge and future connections."

In support of the city's plans, government is also providing $25,000 to Bicycle Nova Scotia for a plan to connect the Chain of Lakes Greenway and the Halifax Peninsula. This work is part of Bicycle Nova Scotia's Blue Route project, an ambitious 3,000 kilometre network of cycling routes throughout the province.

"Building the Blue Route is all about bringing communities and government together to achieve the vision of provincewide bicycle friendly transportation infrastructure," says Ben Buckwold, director, Bikeways and Blue Route Implementation, Bicycle Nova Scotia. "The potential to establish Nova Scotia as a place where bicycling is welcomed, supported and highly accessible is huge, and we are thrilled to have this opportunity to work with the city to plan what could be one of the Blue Route's most important connections, right here in Halifax."

Ms. Diab also announced a $2,300 grant to BayRides, a new community-based transportation service in St. Margarets Bay. BayRides provides affordable, accessible transportation for wheelchair users, seniors, youth, and low income Nova Scotians.

"We are thrilled to offer this service to residents of St. Margarets Bay," said Alison Donovan, manager, BayRides. "A local transit service is vital to keeping people connected to their community and it's great to see the province come to the table as a funding partner."

Connect2, launched in May, aims to create and promote active transportation options for trips of two kilometres or less between community hubs in rural and urban parts of the province.

All Connect2 funded projects will be completed by March 10.

For more information, visit http://novascotia.ca/sustainabletransportation .