Herring Cove Road lane reduction sparks debate
Posted Jul 6, 2010 02:06:20 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
City council will hear conflicting arguments tonight on a staff proposal to reduce Herring Cove Road from four lanes to two.
Staff is recommending the two lanes be eliminated to make room for bicycle lanes.
While cycling enthusiasts are all for the idea, Spryfield’s representative on city council Steve Adams, says most residents and businesses are opposed.
“I’ll present a petition tonight [Tuesday] with over 2500 signatures that are contrary to reducing from four to two,” he said.
Adams says future growth in the area will mean more traffic. He also agrees with the Spryfield and District Business Commission’s concerns it will result in lost business.
But Steve Bedard of the Halifax Cycling Coalition disagrees. He says research shows, if anything it will mean more business.
“Nine times out of ten business actually boosts, because people when they’re driving through they’re going a little bit slower,” he said. “They actually get a chance to look around and see what businesses actually exist in their communities.”
He also says studies done for the city indicate Herring Cove Road can handle increased traffic with two lanes just as well, and bike lanes are something the city desperately needs.
