Nova Scotia, Halifax governments launch $473K review of congested roads

The Halifax and Nova Scotia governments are teaming up for a review of the peninsula’s road network.

The Nova Scotia and Halifax governments are spending roughly $473,000 on a review of the road network on the peninsula.

Last December, the province said it was looking for a consultant to examine the core streets of Halifax and identify strategies to optimize transportation. On Wednesday, the province announced CIMA Canada Inc., which has more than 30 offices across Canada, will conduct the review.

“Congestion is an ongoing challenge and we’ll need a combination of solutions to improve transportation in the area,” said Public Works Minister Fred Tilley in a news release. “This review will test the effectiveness of possible solutions like directional flow on key streets, changes to street right-of-way, and prioritizing certain modes of travel.

“Instead of evaluating concepts individually, we’ll test what their impact could be on the peninsula network as a whole.”

The review will use an activity-based travel model owned by Link Nova Scotia and Halifax to simulate how, when and where people travel. The review is expected to take one year to complete.

“Halifax is growing fast, and we’re seeing unprecedented congestion,” said Mayor Andy Fillmore. “It’s affecting quality of life, slowing productivity, and making it harder for people to get where they need to go. As our region grows, we need a transportation network that is efficient, reliable and built for the future.”

Last January, mapmaking company TomTom ranked Halifax third among Canadian cities with the worst traffic congestion. It noted most Halifax drivers lost four straight days in rush hour traffic in 2025.

For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page