Purpose:

From January 1, 2018 to November 19, 2021 there have been 20 collisions on Robie St. between Stairs St and Columbus St, with the majority of them (16 of 20) occurring at intersections. On June 23, 2021 a right-angle collision claimed the life of a passenger in a vehicle; there have been 6 crashes along here since then. While a variety of factors may lead to these crashes it is clear that with the current design, of Robie St. is not safe.

According to HRM spokesperson Ryan Nearing “the area is currently in the ‘assessment phase,’ and designing ‘mitigation efforts’ should take place in the 2022/2023 fiscal year” (CBC news article, published November 23, 2021). In an email sent on November 24th, email Councilor Lindell Smith said “I asked for us to take a more holistic approach to deal with the conflicts we are seeing in this area”…”This may not be implemented until 2023, however this the best medium term solution we can pursue right now.”

While a holistic approach is welcome and much needed for the north end of Robie St. something needs to be done now to reduce the number and severity of crashes.

All-way stop(s)* installed at any one or any combination of the following intersections within 2 months of this petition being presented to the Transportation Standing Committee:

Robie & Stairs (7 crashes – 2 right-angle, 1 death, 1 rollover)

Robie & Stanley (5 crashes – 3 right-angle, 1 vehicle into private property)

Robie & Columbus (6 crashes – 3 right-angle, 2 vehicles into private property)

And that stop bars be painted on all streets intersecting Robie from Stairs St. to Lady Hammond Rd. within 2 months of this petition being presented to the Transportation Standing Committee.

This is a short-term, band-aid response that should be used until, and in conjunction with a more holistic solution can be designed for the neighborhood over the upcoming years and implemented for the neighborhood in 2023 and beyond.

*including “NEW” & “ALL-WAY” signs at existing stops

Dec 6, 2021

Stephen MacKay

3255 Robie St, Halifax NS

mackay.stephen@gmail.com