New bikeway infrastructure along Almon Street, between Windsor and Gottingen streets completes an important connection in the municipality's Regional Centre All Ages and Abilities (AAA) Bikeway Network. Part of the Regional Council-approved Capital Plan 2024/25, this project represents a $4.2 million investment in the regional bikeway and active transportation network, supporting safe, accessible and sustainable transportation options that keep our communities connected.
Almon Street bikeway includes:
- one-way protected bicycle lanes on both sides of Almon Street, from Windsor Street to Agricola Street, with a combination of sidewalk level (raised) and street level (separated by pre-cast concrete curb) bicycle lanes; and,
- two single-file shared lanes between Agricola Street and Gottingen Street
This project is part of the Regional Centre AAA Bikeway Network, a $25 million investment funded by the federal, provincial, and municipal governments through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program.
Map of Almon Street Bikeway project area
Current status
Project completion by early December.
The project is anticipating completion of construction activities by early December, subject to weather and ongoing collaboration and coordination with private developments in the area. This final phase will include:
- Finishing curb and sidewalk;
- Bikeway paving;
- Roadway paving; and,
- Landscaping and remaining reinstatements.
Construction on the Almon Street Bikeway between Windsor and Gottingen streets began in June 2024 and is scheduled for completion by the fall of 2024. Construction impacts will include sidewalk and lane closures while new sidewalks and bikeways are being installed. The tentative schedule below provides an outline of the construction timeline. This schedule is subject to change. Construction impacts will be shared through public services announcements, at halifax.ca/news and on X.
Early June to mid-July 2024 – Construction begins with anticipated temporary sidewalk and traffic lane closures. Work includes:
- sidewalk widening along north side of Almon Street from Canada Post building to near Robie Street intersection;
- sidewalk widening along south side of Almond Street between Robie and Agricola streets; and,
- removal of the Halifax Forum Sign (with new base to be cast as part of project; sign to be installed at later date).
July through August 2024 – Temporary sidewalk and traffic lane closures continue. Construction work will focus on the intersection of Almon and Windsor streets.
August through September 2024 – Temporary sidewalk and traffic lane closures continues. Some temporary road closures may be required. Work includes:
- removal of underground infrastructure to facilitate construction; two-week closure of Almon Street between Robie and Gladstone Streets required to complete this work, starting September 23. sidewalk widening and bike lane work along south side of Almon Street from Windsor to Robie Streets;
- Installation of soil cell and tree planting and hardscaping along boulevard;
- intersection work, paving, and remainder of on-street protected bike lane installation; and,
Fall 2024 – Construction completion including:
- curb and sidewalk finishing;
- bikeway and roadway paving;
- installation of bike signal heads at Windsor Street, Robie Street, and Agricola Street;
- installation of pavement markings; and,
- landscaping and remaining reinstatements
Past updates
- August 2023 Update
A number of factors, including a longer timeline for the detailed design phase than originally anticipated and the ongoing construction encroachment near Robie Street, informed the decision to delay construction to 2024.
- May 2023 Update
On February 8, 2022 Regional Council approved the installation of 0.9 km of bicycle facilities and related changes to the right-of-way on Almon Street from Windsor Street to Gottingen Street as described in the staff report dated January 17, 2022. The approved facilities include:
- One-way protected bicycle lanes on both sides of Almon Street, from Windsor Street to Agricola Street, with a combination of sidewalk level (raised) and street level (separated by pre-cast concrete curb) bicycle lanes.
- Two single-file shared lanes between Agricola Street and Gottingen Street. This segment is very constrained with many buildings constructed to the property line and a nine-metre curb-to-curb width, which is insufficient space for protected or painted bicycle lanes. While there will be some changes to improve conditions for cyclists (i.e., pavement markings, shared lane signs), this segment will not meet all ages and abilities (AAA) standards.
The approved segment (Windsor Street to Gottingen Street) is in the final stage of detailed design with a target to begin construction in summer 2023.
- November 2018 Update
Please take the opportunity to review our What We Heard report, which is a summary of resident input received during our public engagement sessions that were held in spring 2017.
- September 2017 Update
There have been changes to the planning and implementation of this project from what was presented in spring 2017. The updated options for bike lane types, locations and implementation timelines are described below.
For background, staff proposed two options in spring 2017:
Implement a combination of painted bike lanes/shared-street facility in 2017 as part of a planned street paving and rehabilitation project. Conduct planning on conversion to protected bike lanes in 2-3 years. The types of bike facilities and some of the resulting changes are described in this presentation.
Reinstate street with no changes in 2017. Conduct planning for installation of protected bike lanes in two to three years.
A public engagement session with presentation was held May 3, 2017 with the goal to submit a recommendation report to Regional Council in summer 2017 for a possible fall 2017 installation.
After receiving over 500 comments from the public via the public meeting, online survey responses, and individual communications, it was decided that additional bike facility options should be explored. The report to Regional Council and implementation timeframe has been delayed to allow for full exploration of these added options.
Project contact
Mark Nener, Active Transportation Planning Supervisor
Dylan Hayne, Project Manager Design & Construction Services
Email: contactus@311.halifax.ca
Phone: 311