Hollis Street Protected Bikeway

Hollis Street Protected Bicycle Lane - Phase 2

Construction is underway to extend the existing Hollis Street bikeway from Terminal Road to Barrington Street to create a continuous all-ages-and-abilities (AAA) facility from the Cogswell interchange to Barrington Street. The construction project will also include installation of one-way protected bicycle lanes on each side of Terminal Road to connect the Hollis Street and Lower Water Street AAA cycling facilities.

The Hollis Street extension and Terminal Road facility will be one-way protected bicycle lanes on each side of the street, with pre-cast concrete curb and flexible bollards to separate bicycle and vehicle traffic. Green pavement markings will highlight areas of potential conflict at intersections and busy driveways on both Hollis Street and Terminal Road.

Once Phase 2 is complete, the Hollis Street bikeway will connect to the Terminal Road and Lower Water Street cycling corridors. This route will eventually connect to other Downtown Halifax AAA bikeways including facilities planned for George Street, Morris Street, and the redeveloped Cogswell District

Phase 2 will include several notable changes on both Hollis Street (between Terminal Rd. and Barrington St.) and on Terminal Road.

Hollis Street changes

• Converting the transit stop on Hollis Street in front of the Superstore (Stop #6938) to a shared-bike-lane-bus-stop. Information on how to use this facility for people using transit or cycling can be found below.
• Changes at the intersection with Barrington Street to accommodate left turns for people cycling while minimizing potential conflicts with people driving.
• A reduction in parking spaces on Hollis Street next to Peace and Friendship Park.
• The relocation of one accessible parking space from the east side to the west side of Hollis Street next to Peace and Friendship Park, and the addition of one accessible parking space.

Terminal Road changes

• Converting the Lower Water Street / Terminal Road / Marginal Road intersection to an all-way stop-controlled (stop sign) intersection.
  • This will help provide gaps in traffic to allow people cycling to turn left from Terminal Road to Lower Water Street more easily and safely.
• The addition of two-stage bicycle turn boxes at the intersections of Terminal Road / Hollis Street and Terminal Road / Lower Water Street.
  • Information on how to navigate this type of intersection can be found below under "How to use the two-stage bicycle turn boxes at all-way stops"
• Removal of on-street parking on from both sides of Terminal Road.

Hollis Street Protected Bicycle Lane - Phase 1

Construction of a protected bicycle lane on Hollis Street to create an “all-ages-and abilities” (AAA) cycling connection through downtown Halifax is complete. The new facility is a one-way protected bicycle lane on the west side (right-hand side) of the street, with pre-cast concrete curb and flexible bollards to separate bicycle and vehicle traffic. Green pavement markings highlight areas of potential conflict at intersections and busy driveways.

If you're cycling

• Always yield to people walking, even if they find their way into the bicycle lane.

If you're walking or rolling

• If you are walking or rolling, look left and right before crossing the bicycle lane and avoid standing in the bicycle lane unnecessarily.
• If you are taking transit, you will see shared bike-lane-bus-stop platforms installed where the bicycle lane intersects with transit stops.
• Though designed as an interim structure for Hollis Street, these platforms will function similarly to the shared bike-lane-bus-stops constructed on South Park Street.

If you're driving, parking, or loading

• Stopping in the bike lane, or in the traffic lane immediately adjacent to the bike lane is not permitted.
• The configuration of traffic lanes remains very similar to what existed previously.
• There are new restrictions on right-hand turns on red lights to improve safety for people cycling at intersections.
• If you looking for places to park, parking and loading zones previously located on the west side were moved to the east side (left-hand side) of the street.
• Relocated accessible spaces were retained within the same block and as close to the previous location as feasible. There are minimal changes in the number of parking spaces on Hollis Street as a result of this project.
• If you require space for loading, there are loading zones on the east side (left-hand side) of Hollis Street on each block, except for the block between the Cogswell interchange and Duke Street – for this block the no-parking zone on the east side of Hollis Street can be used for loading outside of the morning and afternoon peak periods.
  • Loading can also be accommodated on some cross streets and from private driveways, parking lots and parking garages.
  • A no-parking/loading zone was added on the east side of Granville Street, near Salter Street, to accommodate right-hand side loading for coach/tour buses and other vehicles.

This project is part of Halifax's Regional Centre AAA Cycling Network aimed at making it more comfortable and convenient for you to get around Halifax by bicycle.

Navigating Hollis Street

How to use the shared-bike-lane-bus-stop

If you are cycling

• Slow down as you approach the shared bicycle lane-bus stop.
• If a bus pulls up to the platform, stop behind the white pavement markings.
• After passengers have loaded on and off the bus and it has closed its doors, you may proceed.
• Be aware that buses may deploy their ramps into the bicycle lane when stopped. 
• The white pavement markings are "sharks teeth" that alert cyclists of the point where they need to yield and give priority.

If you are using transit

• Wait for your bus on the sidewalk or in the transit shelter.
  • Do not wait in the bicycle lane.
• Once the bus has pulled up to the curb, look for any oncoming cyclists.
• If there are no cyclists, or if the cyclists have stopped, you are safe to proceed onto the bus.
• Enjoy your ride!
• If you are getting off the bus, make sure to look right for any oncoming cyclists before stepping into the bicycle lane.

How to use the two-stage bicycle turn boxes at all-way stops

If you are cycling

• Approach the intersection and stop behind the stop bar. Look for pedestrians crossing the street.
• Once it is your turn and safe to do so, enter the two-stage bicycle turn box facing the intersection. Ensure you are not blocking the sidewalk or the through-movement for other cyclists.
• Wait your turn and proceed across the intersection to the bicycle lane when it is safe to do so. Be aware there may be through-moving cyclists approaching from your left as you exit the bicycle box.
• Always yield to pedestrians.

If you are driving

• Approach the intersection and stop behind the stop bar. Be aware there may be cyclists in the two-stage bicycle turn box or drivers waiting their turn to enter the intersection from a driveway.
• Once it is your turn and pedestrians, cyclists and drivers have cleared the intersection, proceed when it is safe to do so.
• When turning across the bicycle lane into a street or driveway, you must yield to cyclists in the bicycle lane. Always do a right-shoulder check and mirror check for cyclists approaching from behind in the bicycle lane before you make a right turn.
• Do not wait in the bicycle lane when queuing to enter or exit a driveway.
• Always yield to pedestrians.

How to navigate signalized intersections

If you are cycling and need to turn left off of Hollis

• On a green light, enter the intersection, wait in front of the pedestrian crosswalk in the bike lane.
• Do not block the crosswalk.
• When the light facing you turns green, proceed straight through the intersection when it is safe to do so.
• Always yield to pedestrians.

If you are driving and turning right

• If you have a red light, wait behind the stop bar.
• Right turns onto Hollis Street on a red light are prohibited.
• After the light turns green and any people cycling have cleared the intersection, proceed when it is safe to do so.
• Right-turns on red onto Hollis Street at signalized intersections are restricted (follow posted signs).
• When turning right across the bike lane onto a side street, driveway, etc., you must yield to cyclists in the bike lane.
• Always do a right-shoulder check and mirror check for cyclists approaching from behind in the bike lane before you make the turn.
• Do not wait in the bike lane when queuing to enter a driveway, parking garage, etc.
• Always yield to pedestrians.

Project History

November 2020

Hollis Street Phase 1 protected bike lanes installed and opened between Barrington Street and Terminal Road.

April 2019

Regional Council approves the implementation of protected bicycle facilities on Hollis Street, Upper/Lower Water Street, Terminal Road and George Street. Click here to view the staff report. 

March and April 2018

Public engagement sessions are hosted, and a survey is posted to Shape Your City to collect feedback on the proposed options for the Downtown AAA cycling network, including consideration for level of comfort and safety for people cycling and implications for other street users. Click here to view the What We Heard summary of public input.

December 2017

Regional Council adopts the Integrated Mobility Plan, which identifies Hollis Street as a connection within the Regional Centre AAA Cycling Network.