Dartmouth East Active Transportation Planning Project
Project Overview
The Halifax Regional Municipality is planning changes for Dartmouth East area streets that aim to improve safety and accessibility for people biking, walking and rolling. The scope of this planning project includes Woodlawn Road, Valleyfield Road, Mount Edward Road, Caledonia Road and Breeze Drive (area map pictured below). These streets are located in primarily residential areas, and yet experience fast moving vehicle traffic. 
The goals of this project are to:
- Identify safety improvements for vulnerable road users, including those biking, walking and rolling along Woodlawn Road, Valleyfield Road, Mount Edward Road, Caledonia Road and Breeze Drive;
- Develop designs for these streets based on public input, engineering guidelines and traffic data;
- Identify additional street and sidewalk improvements throughout the area including needed connections for people biking, walking and rolling.
Public engagement took place from November 28 - December 19. Street design options were presented to help determine:
- Where safety improvements are most needed for people biking, walking and rolling.
- What type of improvements or street features would be best along these routes (eg. Intersection changes, speed humps, bicycle lanes).
The street design options were shared via a public survey which was live from November 28, 2022 - December 19, 2022. Paper Copies of the survey were also available at Dartmouth East Community Centre & Woodlawn Public Library.
In addition to the public survey, we provided the following opportunities to participate in public engagement:
Drop-In Public Consultation Session:
Date: Wednesday, November 30, 2022, 6 – 8 p.m.
Location: Dartmouth East Community Centre (50 Caledonia Road, Dartmouth, NS)
Drop-In Public Consultation Session:
Date: December 6, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Location: Woodlawn Public Library (31 Eisener Blvd, Dartmouth, NS)
Open House Public Meeting:
Date: December 7, 2022, 6– 8 p.m.
Location: Woodlawn United Church (54 Woodlawn Road, Dartmouth NS)
Additional Project Information and Background
Why This Project?
Woodlawn Road, Valleyfield Road, Mount Edward Road, Caledonia Road and Breeze Drive were identified in the Active Transportation Priorities Plan as candidate streets for growing the regional active transportation network. Growing the active transportation networks throughout HRM helps to increase mobility options (cycling, walking, transit, personal vehicles) for residents. This project aims to work with the local communities and stakeholders to assess the various pros and cons of different street design options, as well as the priorities for implementation. This planning project will also work to address other street needs such as transit service, traffic accommodation, parking and street trees.
Active Transportation Connections in Dartmouth
This project connects to other transportation planning projects throughout the Dartmouth area. Concurrent planning projects are working together to address barriers for people biking, walking and rolling throughout central and east Dartmouth.
The scope of this project includes Woodlawn Road down to Portland Street. Those cycling down Woodlawn onto Portland Street or Baker Drive have no separation from high volumes of fast moving traffic. This planning project connects to the Portland Street and Cole Harbour Road Functional Planning Study, which is proposing an active transportation route along Portland Street to the Penhorn shopping area. A new planning project is now underway to connect the existing Penhorn Lake Multi-Use Pathway to this area of Dartmouth into downtown Dartmouth and beyond including Graham's Grove, Westphal and Main Street.
When Will This Be Built?
Woodlawn Road, Valleyfield Road, Mount Edward Road, Caledonia Road and Breeze Drive will likely be rehabilitated in the next 3-5 years. This planning project will help inform the new street designs when it comes time for construction.
