Construction on Hollis Street bike lane set to begin

WATCH ABOVE: It’s another step in getting a network of bike lanes through Halifax. A long awaited bike lane project is about to begin construction. Global’s Dave Squires reports.

HALIFAX – Hollis Street is about to be a lot busier, as construction on the long-awaited bike lane is set to begin.

City staff have confirmed that $230,900 was awarded to Dexter Construction.

“It’s been a long time coming but it’s because we’ve been listening to the potential users, the cyclists, the residents, motorists,” said Brendan Elliot, a spokesman for the city.

The project was first proposed in 2010 but the city had to go back to the drawing board after further public consultations, delaying the project. But now that construction is set to begin, bike enthusiasts are rejoicing.

“The more roads that have bike lanes on them the better because you don’t have to be mixing with traffic. You can go from bike lane to bike lane all across the city and get to where you are going a lot faster and efficient way,” said Eric Jonsson of the Halifax Cycling Coalition.

The city calls the project an enormous undertaking and warns many intersections will be affected during the construction phase.

Due to traffic and safety concerns, the city says the lanes will go down the left side of the street toward the south end of Halifax and they will have a 60 cm buffer zone from traffic.

The Halifax Cycling Coalition calls it a step in the right direction but still want more safety measures put in place.

“Hollis Street is a busy street so I can understand if some people are nervous about it. That’s why we are advocating for a protected bike lane because right now there is really no separation between traffic and cyclists,” said Jonsson

City officials will meet with contractors next week to discuss timelines of the project.

If all goes according to schedule, the city says the new Hollis Street bike lane will be completed by the end of the summer.