Haligonians have 2 weeks to weigh in on $10M Spring Garden Road upgrade

Proposals for a $10-million upgrade to Spring Garden Road in downtown Halifax by 2020were met with mixed reviews at a public meeting held Monday night.

One of the proposals includedcreatinga boulevard down the middle of the street and another proposal was toonly allowtransit and pedestrians to use the street during the day. All of the options included burying utility lines.

"We have a full spectrum of options," explained Elora Wilkinson, a municipalproject manager. "One is status quo with an enhanced pedestrian realm and the boldest idea is a transit and pedestrian only zone."

"I don't see anything new here," said Diana Burns, one of about 150 people who attended a public meeting on the proposals at Halifax Central Library."My main objective would be to see Spring Garden completely pedestrian."

Juanita Spencer, head of the Spring Garden Road and area Business Association, hadreservations.

"That option was a bit of a surprise," said Juanita Spencer."I don't think we're going to get the support of our members for a transit only street."

There was also some scepticism about constructing a boulevard down a section of Spring Garden Road between South Park and Robie Streets.

"You don't have the street width to put a boulevard in and have a bike lane, a transit lane and traffic," said Brian Storrie, who lives along Spring Garden Road.

Storrie would prefer part of Spring Garden Road be made one way.

But planners have ruled out that idea because of the impact on transit routes.

Turning the side streets of Birmingham and Dresden Row into a one way route is still a possibility.

William Breckenridge, who lives on Clyde Street, is not in favour of that idea.

"Have you seen Birmingham and Clyde on a Saturday? Cars don't know what to do," Breckenridge said. "Until you live it, you're not going to know it."

Breckenridge also thinks the pedestrian bump outs at the major intersections will create problems for trucks and buses trying to navigate the street.

But Ben Hammer likes them.

"I'm excited to see them included," said Hammer."They provide better visibility for pedestrians and vehicles. They're a huge safety feature."

The proposals are online and people have another two weeks to send in comments.

Planners expect to take a final design to regional council this spring.