Shore Road: Building with Nature

Project status
Public information meeting was held on February 8, 2024 where residents were invited to join municipal staff for a presentation on the project and an opportunity to ask questions. Feedback from the meeting has been compiled into a What We Heard Report and they helped inform the project design.

Project overview

Shore Road is vital for the Eastern Passage community, serving as bus route, access corridor and emergency evacuation route. The section of Shore Road between Norman’s Lane and Oceanlea Drive is becoming increasingly damaged with the impacts of climate change. Damages include road undercutting, asphalt loss, coastal erosion and flooding. More frequent and intense storms have led to frequent road closures and safety risks.

In alignment with the Green Network Plan and HalifACT – the Shore Road: Building with Nature project involves the construction of a nature-based approach for erosion mitigation along a 480 m stretch of Shore Road in Eastern Passage. This approach consists of a new slope with native vegetation, a cobble beach and a submerged breakwater to dissipate wave energy. Cobble beaches, mimicking natural ones, can effectively reduce wave impact and shoreline erosion. Similar designs have proven successful in areas with varying wave climates, particularly those with rocky and coarse sediment shorelines like the project site. The development of the design has been based on a physical model of the shoreline and wave simulation in the test facilities of the Ocean, Coastal and River Engineering Research Centre of the National Research Council.

The municipality is committed to HalifACT, our climate plan, and the Halifax Green Network Plan. The municipality aims to implement nature-based and green infrastructure options to enhance green space access and boost infrastructure resilience to climate impacts. Therefore, the key objectives of the project are to:

increase the long-term resilience of the shoreline to increasing climate change pressures;

restore the natural ecosystem in the area

improve the quality of local stormwater runoff;

enhance public access to nature;

increase green space; and

enhance pedestrian connectivity by establishing a link between the site and the adjacent MacCormack’s Beach Provincial Park

Proposed Project Site

FAQ

Where is this work taking place?

This work will take place along Shore Road between Normans Lane and Oceanlea Drive, Eastern Passage.

Why does this work need to happen?

Shore Road is a vital part of the community as a bus route, community access corridor, and emergency evacuation route, and plays a critical role in ensuring the safety and well-being of Eastern Passage. The road section between Norman’s Lane and Oceanlea Drive is experiencing repeated damage due to climate change through more frequent and intense storms combined with sea level rise. The site is also experiencing more wave overtopping and rocks being tossed onto the road during extreme storm events, causing road closures.

Restoration and protection efforts in this area have historically used traditional hard infrastructure like rock walls or barricades to address wave overtopping and erosion risks. However, this has led to increased erosion along the shoreline. This not only poses a safety risk but also harms natural habitat and green spaces crucial for community well-being and ecosystem health. Considering the additional threats of sea level rise, there is a need for a sustainable management approach that reduces wave overtopping risks, supports natural shoreline processes, enhances infrastructure resilience to climate change, and improves community livability.

What will the traffic impacts of this work be?

During parts of this project, there will be stop-and-go traffic in the work area. For the safety of staff, contractors and the public, we ask that motorists and cyclists obey all posted safety signage.

What is the project timeline?

Design is almost done and construction is anticipated for the 2025/2026 construction season.

More details of project timing and construction impacts will be shared with the community and key partners once a contractor is engaged.

Has this work been tendered/awarded yet?

No. A contractor will be selected through the formal procurement process. The work is anticipated to be tendered/awarded in 2025/26.

Why does this project focus on this section of Shore Road?

This project is focused on the section of Shore Road between Norman’s Lane and Oceanlea Drive because it has experienced repeated closures due to damage caused by more frequent and intense storms, combined with sea level rise due to climate change. These impacts represent a safety concern for our communities, as such this critical municipal road and emergency route have been prioritized for protection.

Other factors considered in the selection of this section of Shore Road include that the land is owned by the municipality and the site characteristics allow for the implementation of a nature-based solution, aligning with the funding opportunity available, from Infrastructure Canada’s Natural Infrastructure Fund. This federal funding enables the project to be less costly to the municipality, reducing the burden on municipal taxpayers.

Will this project or future projects help protect other sections of Shore Road?

While the focus of this project is on the section of Shore Road outlined above, there could be potential for additional projects on Shore Road in the future.

How much will this project cost?

The project is expected to cost $5 million. The final cost will not be finalized until this project has been awarded through the formal procurement process.

How is the project funded?

In May 2023, Regional Council directed the Mayor and CAO to sign a Contribution Agreement with Infrastructure Canada to receive funding of 60 per cent of the total project costs up to $3 million for the Shore Road Green Shores Project, with a total project cost of $5 million.

Halifax is one of the first municipalities to receive this new funding from Infrastructure Canada, supporting us in taking a natural approach to safeguarding communities against the impacts of climate change.

Funding was previously announced for this project under the name Shore Road Green Project.

Why use natural erosion mitigation instead of traditional construction methods?

In alignment with the municipality’s climate plan, HalifACT, and Green Network Plan, the Shore Road: Building with Nature project involves the construction of a nature-based approach along a 480 metre stretch of Shore Road in Eastern Passage. This approach consists of a new slope with native vegetation, a cobble beach and a submerged breakwater to dissipate wave energy.

Traditional approaches have led to increased erosion along the shoreline. This not only poses a safety risk but also harms natural habitat and green spaces crucial for community well-being and ecosystem health. Considering the additional threats of sea level rise, there is a need for a sustainable management approach that reduces wave overtopping risks, supports natural shoreline processes, enhances infrastructure resilience to climate change, and improves community livability.

The nature-based approach of the proposed design seeks to restore physical processes that sustain the health of the shoreline in the area. The restoration of the shoreline mimicking the beach type, materials and habitats naturally found in the area. This nature-based approach aims to reduce the impact of waves on the road, while maintaining habitat function, and reducing pollutants in the aquatic environment. Nature-based approaches provide cost-effective alternatives to traditional hard infrastructure, fostering sustainable and resilient coastal ecosystems. Additionally, these solutions contribute to community well-being by enhancing recreational spaces and maintaining the aesthetic appeal of natural landscapes.

Will this project include a public space?

Yes. As part of the shoreline rehabilitation, a waterfront trail is planned, along with more trees, native shrubs and grasses where suitable. This will provide public access to nature as well as stormwater management elements to improve the quality of stormwater runoff reaching the ocean.

How can members of the community learn more about this project?

Project information will be posted at www.halifax.ca/ShoreUpShoreRoad.

Is this project part of the DND Land-Based Testing Facility project (at Hartlen Point, Eastern Passage)?

No. This project is not part of the nearby DND Land-Based Testing Facility project.

What are Nature-Based approaches for Coastal Adaptation?

Traditionally, coastal communities have addressed the risks of wave overtopping and erosion by using conventional hard infrastructure, mainly rock revetment. However, these structures, made of concrete, rock, and steel, deteriorate over time, disrupt natural processes, and can increase erosion risks in nearby areas. Nature-based approaches, on the other hand, utilize natural materials like sediment, biomass, and some rock to address climate hazards. These methods align with local coastal processes, allowing for more natural recovery, and require less human intervention. Additionally, they offer benefits such as creating habitat, providing access to nature, and enhancing resilience to climate change impacts such as more severe storms.

One of the many tools available for the design nature-based systems in Canada is the Green Shores for Shoreline Development Program. This program uses a rating system for projects with a focus on restoring natural processes, improving habitat function, minimizing pollutants in water, and lessening overall impacts on shoreline environments.

Who do I contact if I have additional questions?

You can send an email to shoreup.shoreroad@halifax.ca.

This project is funded in part by the Government of Canada