Last updated: June 25, 2026
Project overview
Project area map
This project will improve safety and mobility in the area by realigning Ross Road to connect directly with the intersection of Main Street and Lake Major Road and replacing the existing signalized intersection with a modern roundabout. The overall design focuses on creating a safer, more efficient intersection while supporting reliable travel through this key transportation corridor.
Currently, Ross Road connects to Main Street approximately 110 metres away from the signalized intersection of Main Street and Lake Major Road. Ross Road is stop‑controlled and does not have traffic signals, requiring drivers turning onto Main Street to cross multiple lanes of traffic. Drivers travelling on Main Street and turning left onto Ross Road also face conflicting movements. Realigning Ross Road into the main intersection removes these complex and closely spaced movements, improving access to and from Ross Road and reducing collision risk for all road users.
Using a roundabout at this location will further improve safety while keeping traffic moving efficiently. Roundabouts reduce the most severe types of collisions, such as head‑on and right‑angle crashes, by lowering the number of conflict points within the intersection. Compared to traffic signals, roundabouts also provide shorter pedestrian crossings with protected islands, allowing people to cross one direction of traffic at a time. Traffic analysis showed the roundabout would operate more efficiently than traffic signals, with less delay on each approach and smoother, more consistent movement for vehicles from all directions, helping reduce congestion, vehicle idling and emissions.
The project aligns with the municipality’s 2026–30 Strategic Plan, Integrated Mobility Plan and Road Safety Strategy by supporting safer, more efficient movement and prioritizing people walking, rolling and cycling through improved crossings and active transportation connections.
Key benefits include:
- Improved safety for all road users
- Reduced collision risk and severity
- More consistent traffic flow and reduced idling
- Safer pedestrian crossings with improved visibility
- Better cycling connections without the need to circulate through the roundabout
Why a roundabout?
What we found
- The roundabout is expected to move traffic more efficiently, with fewer delays during peak times and more consistent traffic flow.
- It provides better safety outcomes by reducing vehicle speeds and simplifying how vehicles move through the intersection.
- It also improves the experience for people walking, rolling, and cycling by creating shorter, more predictable crossings.
- While it has a higher upfront cost and requires more space, it offers long-term value with a longer lifespan and more reliable performance over time.
| Category | Improved Traffic Signals | New Roundabout | What this means |
|---|---|---|---|
| Category | Improved Traffic Signals | New Roundabout | What this means |
| Traffic Volume - Level of Service (LOS) | Some movements at LOS E | LOS B or better | The roundabout keeps traffic moving with fewer delays and more consistent flow. |
| Traffic during peak times | Over capacity in several cases. | Slightly over capacity in one case; better performance overall. | The roundabout handles future traffic growth more efficiently. |
| Criteria | No Change (Existing Intersection) | Improved Traffic Signals | New Roundabout | Summary (based on technical findings) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Criteria | No Change (Existing Intersection) | Improved Traffic Signals | New Roundabout | Summary (based on technical findings) |
| Pedestrian Operations | Poor | Good | Excellent | The signal option improves crossing features compared to the existing intersection, but the roundabout further improves safety by slowing vehicles and allowing pedestrians to cross in two stages with clear sightlines. |
| Bicycle Operations | Poor | Moderate | Excellent | Both options improve cycling compared to the existing intersection, but the roundabout slows vehicles more, bringing speeds closer to cycling speed and improving comfort. |
| Vehicle Operations | Poor | Good | Excellent | The roundabout is expected to operate better than signals overall, while the signal option still improves vehicle flow compared to the existing intersection. |
| User Safety | Moderate | Good | Excellent | Safety is expected to improve with signals compared to the existing intersection, but the roundabout provides greater overall safety benefits, including improved pedestrian protection. |
| Property Impacts | Minimal | Moderate | Higher | The signal option requires some road widening, while the roundabout requires more property around the intersection, although less widening along Main Street. |
| Cost (Construction) | None | Moderate | Higher | The roundabout has a higher construction cost than the signal option. |
| Maintenance & Lifespan | Moderate | Moderate | Strong (longer life) | Both options have similar annual maintenance rates, but the roundabout is expected to last much longer (about 50 years compared to about 20 years for signals). |
| Construction Impacts | None | Moderate | Higher | Building the roundabout is expected to have greater impacts on traffic during construction, while signal upgrades would be less disruptive. |
Taken together, the analysis and comparison indicate that a roundabout offers the best overall balance of safety, efficiency and long-term performance for this intersection.
Project status and timeline
This project is currently advancing toward construction.
Estimated project timeline
- August 2026 – Construction tender awarded
- September to December 2026 – Construction on the new section of Ross Road
- Spring to winter 2027 – Roundabout construction at the intersection of Main Street, Lake Major Road and Ross Road
- December 2027 – Most major aspects of the project are expected to be complete
- Spring 2028 – Final project work, such as landscaping, is expected to be completed
Timelines are estimates and may be adjusted as the project progresses. A more detailed construction schedule will be shared as the project approaches the construction phase.
Project updates and communications
Traffic impacts and other related Public Service Announcements (PSAs) will be shared with media, posted on halifax.ca/news and on the municipal Bluesky account: @hfxgov.bsky.social
The contractor working on behalf of the municipality is responsible for providing written notification of upcoming construction impacts to residents and businesses directly adjacent to the project area.
- Recent project-related PSAs
- Links to related PSAs will be posted here when they are available.
What to expect during construction
A construction management plan will be in place throughout this multi-phase project to reduce impacts on residents, businesses, and people driving, cycling, walking or rolling.
Traffic impacts will vary by construction phase. Construction of the new section of Ross Road in late 2026 is expected to have minimal traffic impacts. More significant traffic impacts are anticipated during roundabout construction in 2027.
Access to nearby businesses and properties will be maintained throughout construction. The contractor will provide advance notice if access needs to be temporarily interrupted.
How large trucks will navigate the roundabout
The following images illustrate how large vehicles, including transport trucks and emergency vehicles, are expected to move safely through the proposed roundabout at Ross Road, Main Street and Lake Major Road. Each view shows a different approach highlighting the turning paths used in the design:
- southbound on Ross Road
- northbound on Lake Major Road
- both directions on Main Street
These truck turning paths are a critical part of the engineering process, helping ensure the roundabout can accommodate larger vehicles while maintaining safe and efficient traffic flow for all users. The layouts shown are based on current concept designs and remain subject to change as the project progresses.
Common questions
- What is the Ross Road, Main Street and Lake Major Road roundabout project?
The project will realign Ross Road to connect to the intersection of Main Street and Lake Major Road. The existing signalized intersection will be replaced with a roundabout, along with improvements to active transportation infrastructure and supporting safety elements.
- Why is a roundabout being used instead of traffic lights?
Roundabouts are used where they are the best fit for a location. The realignment of Ross Road created an opportunity to improve safety and traffic flow at this intersection. The area has the space needed and meets the criteria for a roundabout, including traffic volumes, safety considerations and roadway geometry.
Following an evaluation of options, a roundabout was selected as the best solution. Roundabouts reduce vehicle speeds, eliminate the most severe types of collisions and keep traffic moving more consistently than signalized intersections, particularly during peak periods.
- Are roundabouts safer than traditional intersections?
Yes. Roundabouts reduce conflict points and remove head‑on and right‑angle crashes, which are the most severe collision types. Pedestrian crossings are shorter and designed to improve visibility and safety.
- How does this project align with municipal plans and strategies?
The project aligns with the municipality’s 2026–30 Strategic Plan and Integrated Mobility Plan by improving safe and efficient movement along a key transportation corridor. It also supports the Road Safety Strategy by reducing collision risk and severity for people driving, walking and rolling
- How will pedestrian safety be addressed at the roundabout?
Pedestrian crossings will be provided on all approaches and will be equipped with rectangular rapid flashing beacons to improve visibility. Crossings are shortened and have protected islands designed to allow people to cross one direction of traffic at a time.
- How will cyclists navigate the roundabout?
Cyclists approaching from the west on Main Street will transition from the on-street bike lane to an off‑street multi‑use path rather than circulating within the roundabout, reducing conflicts with vehicles.
A small section of multi-use path will also be added to the west corner of Main Street and Lake Major Road. This section will connect to the existing bike lane on Main Street west of the roundabout.
- What will happen to the existing section of Ross Road that connects to Main Street?
This section of Ross Road will be disconnected from Main Street once the new connection is open. The future use of this existing section of Ross Road will be confirmed as design and construction progress. Details will be shared once finalized.
- Will sidewalks be extended east of the roundabout on Main Street?
Improvements for people walking, rolling and taking transit in this area will be delivered through a combination of projects. In the near term, pedestrian improvements will be included as part of the upcoming Ross Road realignment work.
In addition, the municipality is planning a broader upgrade of Main Street that includes new sidewalk and bus stop improvements. Conceptual work for the Main Street project has been completed, and this future project is intended to complete the missing sidewalk connection to the transit stop east of the roundabout, building on the pedestrian improvements delivered through the Ross Road, Main Street and Lake Major Road roundabout project.
- How will construction affect traffic?
Traffic impacts are expected to vary by construction phase. New road construction in late 2026 is expected to have minimal traffic impacts, while roundabout construction in 2027 will result in more significant impacts.
- Will access to businesses and properties be maintained during construction?
Yes. Access will be maintained throughout construction. The contractor will provide advance notice if access needs to be temporarily interrupted.
- When will construction take place?
Construction is expected to begin in fall 2026, with major work continuing through 2027 and any remaining work or final touches, such as landscaping, completed in spring 2028.
- How does this project relate to other nearby construction projects?
The municipality is coordinating with other nearby projects to understand and manage combined impacts where possible.
Questions?
Email contactus@311.halifax.ca or call 311.