Cross-section of Dutch Village Road
Last updated: April 15, 2025
Project overview
Regional Council voted unanimously in support of the Dutch Village Road Complete Streets Functional Plan on June 9, 2020.
This project aims to improve safety and address active transportation and transit gaps along Dutch Village Road. Features and considerations include:
- A sidewalk on the west side of the street, addressing the current sidewalk gap.
- Raised protected cycle lanes on both sides of the street.
- New accessible concrete bus stop pads.
- Shortening existing pedestrian crossing distances and adding accessible pedestrian signals.
- Additional high-quality pedestrian crossings.
- Improved connections to the Chain of Lakes Trail.
- On-street parallel parking spaces, replacing the perpendicular parking spaces which are encroaching on the right of way.
- Streetscaping elements, such as benches, trees, planters, waste receptacles and pocket parks.
These improvements support the goals of the Integrated Mobility Plan (IMP), Road Safety Plan, Active Transportation Priorities Plan, and Halifax Municipal Planning Strategy.
Project status
Construction is expected to begin the week of April 21, 2025, and continue through the construction season to December 2025.
Project impacts
Dexter Construction has been awarded the contract for this project. The work is expected to proceed in phases, with initial activity on the west side of Dutch Village Road. Two crews will begin simultaneously:
- One at the Joseph Howe Drive intersection, working toward Central Avenue
- One at the Supreme Court intersection, working toward Frederick Avenue
After these sections are complete, both crews will move to the east side of the street. More details will be shared as the work progresses.
Project updates will be available at halifax.ca/dutchvillageroad.
Traffic impacts will be posted at halifax.ca/news.
What can I expect when construction starts?
Residents and commuters should expect traffic disruptions, including:
- Lane reductions to single-lane, stop-and-go traffic during some phases of construction.
- Temporary sidewalk closures — at least one accessible sidewalk will remain open at all times.
- Periodic detours for vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists.
Access to businesses and properties will be maintained throughout the project.
Spring 2024 – Final review and completion of detailed design.
Spring 2022 – detailed design begins.
Winter 2022 – preliminary design completed.
Spring 2020 – Regional Council approved the recommendations of the Dutch Village Road Complete Streets project based on the staff report.
Summer 2018 – functional plan work was initiated.
December 2017 – Regional Council adopts the Integrated Mobility Plan (IMP). The IMP identifies Dutch Village Road as a priority sidewalk connection given the lack of pedestrian infrastructure, presence of bus stops, passenger volume and nearby land uses, including daycares, and shops.
Summer 2016 – Municipal Planning Strategy (MPS) and Land Use By-law (LUB) amendments enabled pedestrian-oriented residential and commercial growth in the Dutch Village Road area. With the anticipated growth arose a critical need to accommodate pedestrians and ensure the corridor is accessible.
Fall 2014 – Regional Council approves Making Connections: 2014-19 Halifax Active Transportation Priorities Plan. Dutch Village Road intersects with the Chain of Lakes Trail, which is why the street is identified in the Active Transportation Priorities Plan as a candidate bicycle route. This project includes the opportunity to link the community of Fairview with the regional greenway network, as well as the emerging All Ages & Abilities bicycle network on the peninsula, including the multi use path that will be constructed on Bayers Road.