Cyclists have high hopes for Cross Town Connector plan
Posted November 2, 2010 5:32 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The next best hope for cyclists to get their own route through the peninsula faces its next hurdle today at regional council.
Fresh off a defeat over bike lanes in Spryfield, cycling advocates have high hopes for the crosstown connector, a coordinated north-south route between the Bedford Highway and Halifax’s south end.
“This would be a giant leap forward for Halifax,” said Steve Bedard from the Halifax Cycling Coalition.
Bedard says the Coalition didn’t expect the fight that arose from a plan to introduce bike lanes on Herring Cove Road – and he says that shows the need to send the Cross Town Connector plan off to community consultations.
“Plans are already drawn up, it’s just talking to people who might be affected by the route,” he said. “One of the big things is having to trade on-street parking for a bike lane in some areas and just seeing how that impacts businesses, how that impacts residents who work there, deliveries.”
Coun. Jennifer Watts (Connaught-Quinpool) says the cycling corridor is a terrific idea.
“This would allow the people who are cycling to cross from south to north or north to south across the peninsula on a route that’s specifically designated for cyclists with marked cycling lanes,” she said.
Watts agrees with Bedard’s assertion that businesses will likely oppose the plan if it means the loss of on-street parking.
They’ll get the chance to offer feedback if council votes tonight in favour of a staff recommendation to send the plan to public hearings.
