New bikeway infrastructure along Almon Street, between Windsor and Gottingen streets completes an important connection in the municipality's Regional Centre All Ages and Abilities (AAA) Bikeway Network. Part of the Regional Council-approved Capital Plan 2024/25, this project represents a $4.2 million investment in the regional bikeway and active transportation network, supporting safe, accessible and sustainable transportation options that keep our communities connected.
Almon Street bikeway includes:
- one-way protected bicycle lanes on both sides of Almon Street, from Windsor Street to Agricola Street, with a combination of sidewalk level (raised) and street level (separated by pre-cast concrete curb) bicycle lanes; and,
- two single-file shared lanes between Agricola Street and Gottingen Street
This project is part of the Regional Centre AAA Bikeway Network, a $25 million investment funded by the federal, provincial, and municipal governments through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program.
Map of Almon Street Bikeway project area
Current status
Construction to continue in 2025 to complete remaining elements
Construction of the off-street segments of the Almon Street bikeway was mostly completed in December 2024. Installation of some outstanding elements will continue through winter 2025, including installation of the pre-cast concrete barriers and flexible bollards for the on-street bikeway segments, regulatory signs, and the bicycle signals at the intersections of Almon Street with Windsor, Robie and Agricola streets. Outstanding asphalt, concrete, pavement marking, and tree planting work will be completed in spring 2025.
Past updates
- August 2023 Update
A number of factors, including a longer timeline for the detailed design phase than originally anticipated and the ongoing construction encroachment near Robie Street, informed the decision to delay construction to 2024.
- May 2023 Update
On February 8, 2022 Regional Council approved the installation of 0.9 km of bicycle facilities and related changes to the right-of-way on Almon Street from Windsor Street to Gottingen Street as described in the staff report dated January 17, 2022. The approved facilities include:
- One-way protected bicycle lanes on both sides of Almon Street, from Windsor Street to Agricola Street, with a combination of sidewalk level (raised) and street level (separated by pre-cast concrete curb) bicycle lanes.
- Two single-file shared lanes between Agricola Street and Gottingen Street. This segment is very constrained with many buildings constructed to the property line and a nine-metre curb-to-curb width, which is insufficient space for protected or painted bicycle lanes. While there will be some changes to improve conditions for cyclists (i.e., pavement markings, shared lane signs), this segment will not meet all ages and abilities (AAA) standards.
The approved segment (Windsor Street to Gottingen Street) is in the final stage of detailed design with a target to begin construction in summer 2023.
- November 2018 Update
Please take the opportunity to review our What We Heard report, which is a summary of resident input received during our public engagement sessions that were held in spring 2017.
- September 2017 Update
There have been changes to the planning and implementation of this project from what was presented in spring 2017. The updated options for bike lane types, locations and implementation timelines are described below.
For background, staff proposed two options in spring 2017:
Implement a combination of painted bike lanes/shared-street facility in 2017 as part of a planned street paving and rehabilitation project. Conduct planning on conversion to protected bike lanes in 2-3 years. The types of bike facilities and some of the resulting changes are described in this presentation.
Reinstate street with no changes in 2017. Conduct planning for installation of protected bike lanes in two to three years.
A public engagement session with presentation was held May 3, 2017 with the goal to submit a recommendation report to Regional Council in summer 2017 for a possible fall 2017 installation.
After receiving over 500 comments from the public via the public meeting, online survey responses, and individual communications, it was decided that additional bike facility options should be explored. The report to Regional Council and implementation timeframe has been delayed to allow for full exploration of these added options.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is the project 100% complete?
Construction of the off-street segments of the Almon Street bikeway was substantially completed in December 2024. Installation of some outstanding elements will continue through winter 2025, including installation of the pre-cast concrete barriers and flexible bollards for the on-street bikeway segments, regulatory signs, and the bicycle signals at the intersections of Almon Street with Windsor, Robie, and Agricola streets. Outstanding asphalt, concrete, pavement marking, and tree planting (three remaining) work will be completed in spring 2025 – this work includes the remaining top lift of asphalt for the eastbound bike lane next to the Richmond Yards development.
- Why did the municipality build bicycle lanes on Almon Street?
Halifax Regional Municipality’s goal is to provide complete streets that are safe, enjoyable and easy to use for everyone. This project is an outcome of numerous high-level municipal policies addressing climate change, urban forestry, land use planning, accessibility and, especially, integrated mobility. The Integrated Mobility Plan (IMP) was approved by Council in 2017 and sets the direction to create connected, healthy, affordable, and sustainable travel options, through projects like this one. The Municipality’s Active Transportation Priorities Plan (2014) identified Almon Street as a candidate bicycle route.
- How does the Almon Street bikeway make connections in the active transportation network?
The addition of an all ages and abilities (AAA) bikeway on Almon Street provides a key east-west link in the overall cycling network. The bikeway enables connections between the Isleville Street local street bikeway, the Windsor Street painted bicycle lanes, and the approved local street bikeway on Liverpool Street (partially installed in 2023) from Windsor Street to George Dauphinee Avenue, which will connect to the Halifax Shopping Centre Annex (south of Mumford Road), Mumford Transit Terminal, and the Chain of Lakes Trail via the Bayers Road multi-use pathway and upgraded pedestrian and bicycle crossing of Joseph Howe Drive at Hwy 102 Exit 0.
- Why do the protected bicycle lanes not continue east of Agricola Street?
East of Agricola, the street consists of two single-file shared lanes and one on-street parking lane to Gottingen Street. This segment is very constrained with many buildings constructed to the property line and a nine-metre curb-to-curb width, which is insufficient space for protected or painted bicycle lanes. While there are some improvements to improve conditions for people cycling (i.e., pavement markings, shared lane signs), this segment does not meet all ages and abilities (AAA) standards. Per the 2023 supplementary report, staff will complete additional planning to identify a AAA cycling connection on Almon Street between Agricola and Gottingen streets.
- How many trees were removed for the project, and will they be replaced?
Approximately 10 mature trees were removed during the initial phase of construction.
Further to the municipality’s Urban Forest Master Plan and Integrated Mobility Plan, the municipality developed a replanting plan to replace trees removed as a result of this project. The municipality will plant a total of 40 new trees along Almon Street and nearby streets. The municipality and the developer of the Richmond Yards redevelopment shared the cost of planting eight trees in soil cells that provide conditions to enable these trees to thrive and reach maturity.
- How will clients access the CNIB offices on Almon Street when construction is complete?
Access to the CNIB offices remains similar to access before construction of the bikeway, except that clients will cross the eastbound bike lane to reach the building. In front of the CNIB offices, the bike lane is separated from the sidewalk by a half-height (50mm) curb to enable cane detection by people crossing the bike lane and to identify the edge of the sidewalk for people walking along the sidewalk. Various features alert all users to the potential for conflicts along this segment, including grade changes, pavement markings, “bicycles yield to pedestrians” signs, and tactile warning surface indicators (TWSI). Shifting the westbound bicycle lane off street opposite the CNIB location allowed for the retention of the parking spaces in front of the CNIB building. The six spaces are designated as accessible spaces and short-term parking spaces plus an Access-A-Bus stop.
- Are there changes to parking and loading on Almon Street?
One of three accessible parking spaces on the north side of Almon Street, west of Windsor Street, will be removed and one will be relocated approximately 40m to the west. The other four existing accessible spaces on the street remain. Other on-street parking changes include a loss of approximately 32 spaces on Almon Street between Windsor and Agricola streets. This includes about 25 spaces removed in 2019 to accommodate the encroachment for the Richmond Yards redevelopment project that will not be reinstated. Approximately three spaces were gained on the south side of Almon Street, between Robie and Agricola streets. One to two on-street spaces will be removed east of Agricola Street (near the intersection) in spring 2025 to allow for a short section of receiving painted bicycle lane. Parking conditions on nearby streets will be monitored post-construction, and staff will consider changes to restrictions if appropriate.
- How was accessibility for people with visual impairments considered in the design of this project?
Municipal staff have been working closely with accessibility advocates for many years, including consultation on both the functional and detailed designs for Almon Street. Where appropriate in terms of safety for all road users, the municipality has adjusted designs to meet the recommendations presented by advocacy groups, with consideration of current best-practice design guidelines for active transportation infrastructure. Canadian design guidelines for bikeway design are evolving and staff continue to adjust and improve designs as the Municipality delivers new solutions to safely meet the needs of all users of municipal streets. Examples of accessibility features included in the design of the Almon Street project are:
- Pedestrian ramps with tactile warning plates as per the municipality’s design standards.
- A grass or hardscaped boulevard with trees between the sidewalk and adjacent bike lane where space is available, or a half-height curb where there is insufficient space for a grass boulevard.
- The installation of directional tactile plates to direct people with visual impairments on Almon Street where crosswalks are offset from the sidewalk at the intersections with Windsor Street (northeast corner), Gladstone Street (northeast and southeast corners), and Robie Street (southeast and southwest corners).
Project contact
Mark Nener, Active Transportation Planning Supervisor
Dylan Hayne, Project Manager Design & Construction Services
Email: contactus@311.halifax.ca
Phone: 311