The municipality is looking for contractors to install several “tactical” projects in Halifax and Dartmouth, according to tender documents posted Thursday.

Since the adoption of the Integrated Mobility Plan in late 2017, Halifax has been using pilot projects to test street design changes in the hopes of improving pedestrian safety. Those projects, sometimes referred to as “tactical urbanism,” include things like the new curb extensions around the intersection of Young, Kaye, and Isleville, or bump outs on Agricola Street at Charles Street or Ochterloney Street at Wentworth Street.

Curb extensions on Kaye Street installed earlier this year — the same kind that the municipality will now be installing elsewhere. Photo: Philip Moscovitch
Curb extensions on Kaye Street installed earlier this year — the same kind that the municipality will now be installing elsewhere. Photo: Philip Moscovitch

One of two tenders posted Wednesday is looking for an installer for “Multiple Tactical Projects,” — three new pilot projects, one in Halifax and two in Dartmouth.

The first includes new curb extensions around the Willow Tree intersection, Robie Street, Quinpool Road, Cogswell Street, and Bell Road.

The plans for the Willow Tree intersection. Photo: HRM Credit: HRM

The second includes new bump outs on Ochterloney Street at Victoria Road.

The plans for Ochterloney and Victoria. Photo: HRM Credit: HRM

And the third includes new bump outs on Oakdale Crescent at Crichton Avenue.

The plans for Crichton and Oakdale. Photo: HRM Credit: HRM

“This contract will include the painting of all paint elements listed below. It will also include the installation of all the tactical curbs and bollards, and installation of posts,” the tender document says.

That tender closes Sep. 17.

The second tender posted Wednesday morning is for a “Tactical Bikeway” along what is technically Gottingen Street, from Rainnie Drive to Brunswick Street. It’s an extension of the protected Rainnie Drive bike lane, which runs from Cogswell to Gottingen, that will tie in to the unprotected bike lane on Brunswick Street.

The plans for the Rainnie Drive bikeway extension, showing new asphalt in pink and precast curb in green. Photo: HRM Credit: HRM

Though the “tactical” name suggests the bikeway is a pilot, there are some permanent modifications to be made to the existing curbs.

“We will need to remove some of the curb so you can widen the bikeway without conflicting with the curb and to allow the bikeway to ramp down to the roadway level,” read the tender documents.

The curb changes necessary at Rainnie and Gottingen. Photo: HRM Credit: HRM

That tender also closes Sep. 17.

It’s unclear what the projects will cost, hence the tenders, but the city plans to spend $640,000 on “tactical urbanism” in this fiscal year.

Zane Woodford is the Halifax Examiner’s municipal reporter. He covers Halifax City Hall and contributes to our ongoing PRICED OUT housing series. Twitter @zwoodford

Leave a comment

Only subscribers to the Halifax Examiner may comment on articles. We moderate all comments. Be respectful; whenever possible, provide links to credible documentary evidence to back up your factual claims. Please read our Commenting Policy.