News release

Province Supports Active Transportation in Port Hawkesbury

Energy and Mines (July 2018 - Aug. 2021)

Pedestrians and cyclists in Port Hawkesbury will soon have access to more sustainable transportation options for the town’s busiest street, with support from the province's Connect2 stream of the Low Carbon Communities program.

Energy and Mines Minister Derek Mombourquette announced today, Sept. 24, an $100,000 investment to the town of Port Hawkesbury to develop a 1.6 kilometre off-road connector trail from Pitt Street to the Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC) Strait Area Campus on Reeves Street.

“I am looking forward to seeing the benefits that the new pedestrian pathway will bring to NSCC students, the community and local business,“ said Mr. Mombourquette. “By making investments in active transportation options across the province, we are helping to build healthier, cleaner and more accessible communities and that goes a long way in building a stronger province.”

The investment will cover phase one of the town’s Destination Reeves Street project, a three-year project that will also include a network of interconnecting bicycle systems, streetscape improvements and improved access between Reeves Street and the commercial district.

Quotes:

“The Town of Port Hawkesbury, through the Destination Reeves Street project, has a vision of an integrated plan that will provide safe, convenient, accessible and comfortable mobility for all users. Our partnership with the Department of Energy and Mines is extremely important to us in realizing our vision.”

– Brenda Chisholm Beaton, mayor, Town of Port Hawkesbury

“The newly built off-road connector trail will provide bicycle and walking facilities that connect all the Town’s residential, commercial and government service areas. We believe that the Reeves Street project and the complete street concept will be transformative in many ways, including how our citizens and visitors move through the community.”

– Terry Doyle, chief administrative officer, Town of Port Hawkesbury

“This project is such a great investment in providing safe, sustainable alternate routes for our students and employees in their commute to and from the campus. We’ve been pleased to be a part of the extensive efforts in connecting our NSCC community closer to town.”

– Tom Gunn, principal, NSCC Strait Area Campus

Quick Facts:

  • Connect2 is the Department of Energy and Mines clean transportation grant program
  • the program funds groups that want to build routes for trips between key points in a community, or promote options like ridesharing
  • the province has awarded over $5.4 million to 140 kilometres of projects over the past eight years

Additional Resources:

Low Carbon Communities and Connect2 Program: https://novascotia.ca/low-carbon-communities/