Windmill Road Functional Plan

Background

Windmill Road is an important multimodal corridor that runs approximately 5.5kms between Wyse Road and just north of Akerley Boulevard, where it transitions into Trunk 7 (also known as Magazine Hill). It connects several communities and destinations, including Downtown Dartmouth, Shannon Park, and Burnside Industrial Park. It also provides a direct link to key regional roadway connections such as Highway 111, the MacKay Bridge, and Magazine Hill.

What is Happening?

The municipality is planning on making changes to Windmill Road, from Wyse Road to just north of Akerley boulevard.

This project will develop a long-term vision for Windmill Road that will inform future investments along the corridor. This project will transform Windmill Road into a safe, comfortable, and enjoyable street for people of all ages and abilities, using a variety of transportation modes, and in all seasons.

Why is this Project Happening?

The municipality has initiated a functional planning and design project for Windmill Road for the following reasons:

1. Anticipated Development Growth: In spring 2024, Halifax Regional Council approved zoning amendments to the land use bylaws for most lands along Windmill Road as part of the Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) initiative(External link). Development projects are already underway and further development is expected in the short- to long-term, including potential for over 30,000 new units (~55,000 residents). Planning for such significant development means ensuring that the required infrastructure is in place to support the mobility needs of the community, now and into the future.
2. Condition of Existing Infrastructure: The condition of existing roads, curbs and sidewalks along Windmill Road is deteriorating. The sidewalks and multiuse paths are disconnected, raising concerns about pedestrian safety and accessibility. Due to the lack of curb and sidewalk, a couple of bus stops are inaccessible.
3. Burnside Connector: The Highway 107 Extension (Burnside Expressway) is a new four-lane divided highway that will extend 8.7 km between Highway 102 (near Duke Street in Lower Sackville), Burnside Industrial Park, and Highway 118. The connector will run parallel to Trunk 7 / Magazine Hill and Windmill Road and is expected to attract a lot of traffic from Windmill Road. This presents an opportunity to reimagine how Windmill Road functions as a link and a place (i.e., destination).
4. Policy context: Several municipal plans and policies have identified Windmill Road as a Strategic Corridor - meaning it has an important role in the regional transportation network. Key plans supporting the long-term vision for Windmill Road include:

• (External link)Integrated Mobility Plan (2017):(External link) provides direction to explore opportunities to prioritize active transportation and/or transit within corridors where total road capacity is increased through the construction or expansion of a parallel roadway (Action 124). The impending opening of the Burnside Expressway provides an opportunity to reimagine Windmill Road.
• Rapid Transit Strategy (2020):(External link) identifies a future Ferry Terminal within the Shannon Park neighborhood to support the anticipated population growth in the area.
• Active Transportation Priorities Plan (2014):(External link) designates Windmill Road between the Macdonald Bridge and Wright Avenue as a candidate bicycle route where cycling facilities are desired.
• Halifax Transit’s Moving Forward Together Plan (2016)(External link): identifies a new transit terminal (i.e., Wrights Cove Terminal) along Windmill Road. This terminal could serve as a hub for transit routes into and through the Burnside Business Park. This terminal is expected to be operational within the next few years.

The municipality will develop a set of design options and future scenarios that aim to balance the needs of all road users. This includes improving infrastructure for pedestrians, cyclists and transit while maintaining adequate operations for motorists and goods movement

Learn more

To learn more about the project:

• Ask a Question: Use the “Ask a Question” tab (below) to ask a project team member a question.
• Email: Reach out to the project manager directly at: Leen.Romaneh@halifax.ca(External link)