Improving public transit has been a key focus for Halifax, with major changes on the horizon for Robie Street. The initiative aims to enhance bus service and reduce traffic congestion through a substantial overhaul, widening the street and ensuring bus lanes run in both directions from Young Street to Cunard Street. A large portion of the street in that area currently features three lanes, but the municipality intends to add a fourth lane, primarily to create dedicated bus lanes in both directions as part of its Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) proposal in the long term. To do that, the municipality must acquire 33 full or partial properties – of which 26 have been purchase – with the help of provincial dollars. Wooden barriers are now covering many windows and doors of buildings that will need to be torn down. Virginia Hinch, the area councillor, said her main concern is the loss of housing. “Any type of housing that’s going to be tore down is disheartening because again, we have a housing shortage,” she says. “We’re tearing down houses to make room, in my opinion, for more cars.” The development has prompted concerns about displacement, with one resident wondering how many people would’ve been forced out. “It’s going to equate to a lot of people that are either going to end up homeless or won’t be able to find a place that they can afford,” says Serina Slaunwhite. The visible signs of construction are drawing public attention, with Joel Zemel, an author and historian, posting pictures of the neighbourhood online, and he’s getting a lot of response. “To tear down sound structures just for an agenda to widen the streets is, frankly, a stupid idea,” he says. “This is everybody’s problem. We lose our history. We lose our value.” Transit advocate Douglas Wetmore believes the municipality’s Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) plan is the most effective way to solve the congestion problem. He describes Robie Street as “miserable” and a “traffic nightmare” in its current configuration, noting that going from six to three lanes and back to six is problematic. “It’s unfortunate evil,” he says. “Robie Street is a miserable street.” “More importantly, though, if it wants to become a transit priority corridor like is planned as part of the BRT proposal, it really does need to be widened for that extra bus lane.” But like many construction projects, it’s not an appealing look. “It is an eyesore,” says Hinch. “It doesn’t look good for our community, and it doesn’t reflect who we are.” Cost in flux The latest municipal figures are from last year. At that time, the land acquisition cost was estimated at $64 million, which was part of an overall project budget of $149 million. While some opponents expect that cost to be much higher, even the municipality acknowledges it’s in flux. “Cost estimates will continue to be refined as work progresses through the detailed design and property acquisition phases,” writes spokesperson Jake Fulton. He said financial updates will be provided through Halifax’s “regular financial reporting process that includes Regional Council.” “Property acquisition budgets, purchase prices and related details for the Robie Street Transit Priority Corridor project are not being released at this time,” he says. “Land acquisition information is treated confidentially to protect the integrity of ongoing real estate negotiations.” But the land acquisition is supposed to be finished by next month, which is less than one week away. The latest timeline from the municipality is: · Property acquisition: 2021 to 2026 · Preliminary design: 2024 to 2025 · Detailed design: 2026 to 2027 · Tender and pre-construction (expected): 2028 · Construction (expected): 2028 to 2030 Transparency concerns Hinch says providing more information is better when it comes to a project like this. “I believe that we can be more transparent about it,” she says. “The public wants to know. People want to know what’s going on, you know, where their money’s going.” The last public consultation session in the municipality’s timeline for the project was held in 2018. Mayor Andy Fillmore wasn’t available for an interview on Monday, but sent CTV News a statement. “I understand why residents are concerned when they see change in their neighbourhood,” he writes. “People deserve clear and timely updates.” Fillmore maintains his advocacy for Bus Rapid Transit to improve the overall system. The municipality’s congestion problem will, in part, be addressed when people get out of their car and on the bus. “As we continue to grow at a record pace - existing bus routes, and future Bus Rapid Transit routes, must be able to move efficiently and reliably through the Robie Street transportation spine without getting caught in the same congestion as everyone else,” Fillmore says in an email. “The importance of Robie Street to our entire network will only grow, and improving transit service along that corridor now is critical.” For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
