Astral Drive Active Transportation Engagement

The Halifax Regional Municipality is planning to rehabilitate the asphalt, curbs and sidewalk on Astral Drive. As part of this planning, we are considering if and how to add new walking and bicycling infrastructure on the west side of the street (where there is no sidewalk). To help make a decision, we will be engaging with neighbourhood residents to hear perspectives on this potential change.

Options for consideration

Through public engagement, the municipality aims to:

• discuss the potential benefits and constraints for constructing sidewalk or multi-use pathway (MUP) on this segment of Astral Drive
• determine levels of support for sidewalk or MUP on this segment of Astral Drive
• receive input that can be used in the decision-making process for improving conditions for people walking, biking and rolling (using a skateboard, scooter, wheelchair, etc.) on Astral Drive

There are three options to consider for Astral Drive between Caldwell Road and Stratford Drive:

• a sidewalk for people walking and using mobility aids like wheelchairs
• a multi-use pathway, or MUP, which is a three-metre wide asphalt pathway that could be used by people walking, cycling, rolling or using wheelchairs
• sidewalk connections between bus stops and intersections as was implemented on Astral Drive between Caldwell Road and Spence Drive

More information about the project, including an area map, is offered below.

Ready to provide your feedback?

Providing feedback on these options can be done by:

• taking the survey linked below on this webpage
• speaking to municipal planning staff by attending one of the in-person pop-up events along Astral Drive
  • Event 1 – Thursday, Sept. 26, from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the driveway to Astral Drive Elementary School
  • Event 2 – Tuesday, Oct. 1, from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the driveway to Astral Drive Elementary School
• contacting the project manager by email at anders.turim@halifax.ca

About the project

Sidewalks and multi-use pathways (MUPs) provide many benefits to the communities they are located in, including improved safety, convenience and comfort for people walking, bicycling and rolling. Enabling more people to use non-motorized modes of transportation also has additional benefits for traffic congestion, air and noise pollution, and road maintenance costs.

The municipality is committed to addressing the gaps in our active transportation network; however, given limited resources, the locations where this work occurs must be deliberately selected to deliver the maximum benefit. For example, active transportation facilities near schools, transit and commercial areas are prioritized over facilities that would be far from potential trip generators. Due to Astral Drive’s proximity to two schools, a park and the presence of public transit stops, a second side of sidewalk or MUP in this location appears deserving of prioritization.

If the municipality proceeds with construction of a sidewalk or MUP, land that is three to four metres away from the curb on the west side of the street and that is owned by the municipality would be impacted.

Another option for changes would be to construct bus stop connections. These are short segments of sidewalk connecting bus stops to the nearest intersection. Examples of these already exist on Astral Drive between Caldwell Road and Spence Drive.

While our team recognizes the potential need for a sidewalk or MUP, we are also balancing this with a limited budget and the need for sidewalk and MUP elsewhere. To help make a decision for Astral Drive, we are hoping to receive feedback from residents on options and perspectives should the project proceed.

Depending on our assessment and available budget, the sidewalk or MUP would be located between Caldwell Road and Stratford Drive (as shown below).