Active Living Trails: An Investment in Active Transportation

In July 2021, the Town of Yarmouth, the federal government, and the province of Nova Scotia announced a $2.36 million investment in active living trails. This funding allows for completion of a series of active living trails/sidewalks, adding to trails already built. These shared paths will be fully accessible and will accommodate pedestrian and bicycle traffic. The trails will also offer pedestrian access in areas where no sidewalks were previously available. Active living trails are a key component of the town's Active Transportation Master Plan developed in 2010. (See documents section to the upper right).

The new trails willContinue reading

The new trails will benefit high school students who walk on the west side of Haley Road to get to Starrs Road during their lunch hour, providing added safety. Seniors and other residents living on Haley Road who wish to walk to Starrs Road (Commercial Hub) will experience the benefit of exercise within proximity to their residence.

Connecting the "Four Corners"

The core of the Town of Yarmouth is identified by the four corners of Haley Road/Starrs Road, Starrs Road/Main Street, Main Street/Argyle Street and Argyle Street/Haley Road in the South East corner of the Town of Yarmouth (please see the map called "Sidewalks & Multi-use Trails July 2021.pdf" in the documents section to the right). The aim of this project is to further connect these corners and provide accessible trails for pedestrians and cyclists that make it easier to move around in Yarmouth's downtown core.

A Multi-Phased Approach

The trails planned for this project will be completed in 7 phases. The intent of phases 1-4 is to complete the Haley Road side of the active transportation infrastructure. In order to facilitate the proper north-south connection from Argyle to Starrs, the project will see a rebuild of the Starrs/Haley intersection, including replacement of the traffic lights, and extension of the concrete sidewalk on the north side of Starrs up to the Starrs Road/Haley Road intersection.

Future phases will also see active living trails added on the south side of Starrs road. This will allow all potential trail users to continue into the downtown core via sidewalk or active living from the Haley Road/Starrs Road intersection.

Phase 1 of this initiative was completed in the fall of 2020 with the addition of an asphalt trail between Forest Street and Parade Street on Haley Road.

PHASE 2

Completed Fall of 2021. Asphalt trail between Starrs Road and Parade Street on Haley Road. This adds a northward extension to the Phase 1 multi-use trail. A four-way stop and a 6 inch curb will be added at the Parade Street/Haley Road intersection. A sidewalk extension will also be added on the north side of Starrs Road connecting existing sidewalk to the intersection.

PHASE 3

Completed Fall of 2021. This phase adds an extension of the trail from Haley Road westward down Forest Street, connecting to existing sidewalk in front of the high school.

PHASE 4

Completed in the summer of 2022. This phase added a trail between Forest Street and Argyle Street on Haley Road, extending the trail south and connecting a number of residents on Haley Road to the trail system.

PHASE 5

Completed. This phase involved a rebuild of the intersection at Haley Road and Starrs Road, including upgraded traffic lights and concrete islands. This section was completed in the fall of 2022/fall of 2023.

PHASE 6

Asphalt active living trail connecting Haley Road to Jody Shelley Drive on Starrs Road. Work for this phase was completed in the fall of 2024.

PHASE 7

Asphalt active living trail connecting Haley Road to Pleasant Street on Starrs Road. Work for this phase was completed in the fall of 2024.

PHASE 8

Phase 8 involves adding a connecting trail on Parade Street, between Haley Road and Jody Shelley Drive. This phase was completed in 2023.

Overview Map of Trails completed to date:

Active Living Trail Work Comes to a Close for 2024

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Phase 6 and Phase 7 of the Haley Road Active Living Trails project is now completed. Phase 6 has extended the trail along Starrs Road from the intersection of Haley Road and Starrs. Users can now enjoy a beautiful new path along the front of Mariners Centre, from Haley to Jody Shelley Drive.

The final piece of work to be started this week involves adding crosswalk signalling equipment for pedestrian use when crossing Jody Shelley Drive at the end of the phase 6 section of trail, with commissioning of the equipment to follow.

Phase 7 has added a trail along Starrs Road between Pleasant Street and Clements Avenue, making a direct connection to the Maud Lewis Trail. A future project will involve a traffic light upgrade at the Starrs Road/Pleasant Street intersection. Once this is completed, a crosswalk will be installed to connect the new phase 7 trail to the existing trail on Pleasant Street.
More Multi-Use Trail Work Begins This Week

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Monday, September 9, 2024 - Yarmouth, N.S. – Two more trails will soon be built as part of the Haley Road Multi-use Trails project. These latest additions to the trail network will make two key connections for users along Starrs Road.
“Phase 6” will see a new trail added on Starrs Road, between Haley Road and Jody Shelley Drive. This trail will have connections that allow users to access the Mariners Centre, including the new expansion once completed, as well as the Jumpstart Inclusive Multi Sport Court currently under construction. “Phase 7” will see a trail added on Starrs Road between Pleasant Street and Clements Avenue, making a direct connection to the Maud Lewis Trail. When finished, this new trail will come to a dead end where Starrs Road meets Pleasant Street. However, a future project will see a rebuild of the intersection, with a crosswalk added allowing users to cross Pleasant at that location.
Phase 6 will begin tomorrow, Tuesday, September 10^th and will have minimal impacts to traffic. Phase 7 is set to begin next week (Monday, September 16^th, weather pending). For the duration of phase 7, traffic control will be in place and there will be times when a reduced lane of traffic will be maintained. Drivers using the area should expect delays. For added safety, barricades will be in place for both projects to separate working areas from the public. Each project is expected to be complete by the end of this year (weather dependent).
Regular updates on the project and any significant disruptions in the area will be communicated to the public by the contractor and the Town of Yarmouth. Updates will be made on the Town of Yarmouth website, social media (Facebook and Twitter), and through the town's community notifications service "Alertable". To receive instant notifications through smartphone app, text, email, and more, sign up for Alertable completely free today: https://www.townofyarmouth.ca/alertable.html
Multi-Use Trail Update: More Progress at the Intersection of Haley Road and Starrs Road

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Work is almost at the finish line with phase 5 of the Haley Road multi-use trail. Last week, the asphalt trail connection from Haley Road to the crossing at Starrs Road was completed, providing full access to Starrs from Haley. Paving at the intersection is scheduled to completed mid-July (weather pending), with landscaping to follow.

The next phase of work on multi-use trails is "Phase 8" which will see a piece of trail added between Haley Road and Jody Shelley Drive on Parade Street. This work is set to be competed next month, with the timing dependent upon weather.
Haley Road/Starrs Road/Hardscratch Road Intersection Patch Paving on Tuesday, Work Completed for Year

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Please be advised that patch paving will take place at the intersection of Haley Road/Starrs Road/Hardscratch Road On Tuesday afternoon, November 22nd. Single lane closures will occur to allow paving, and traffic control will be in place. If you are travelling in the area, please expect delays.
This will complete work on the project for 2022. Additional work will be completed next spring that will include the installation of new poles, overhead arms, and lights.
We thank everyone for their patience as we wrap up this first portion of the project.
Construction continues at Haley Road/Starrs Road/Hardscratch Road Intersection

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Just a reminder that construction continues at the intersection of Haley Road/Starrs Road/Hardscratch Road. Crews have been busy installing new bases for traffic lights, and work will continue for the remainder of this week. Please note the following:

➡ Remaining work will require intermittent closure of lanes, including the slip lanes. If you are travelling in this area, please expect delays.
➡ The traffic lights at the intersection will be working for the remainder of the project, but traffic control will remain in place to provide direction during lane closures.
➡ Please approach the intersection with caution and obey traffic controls in place.

Curbs and sidewalk work will begin next week, followed by paving. Remaining work for this season is scheduled to be completed by mid to late-November.
Phase 5 Trail Project To Begin Later this Month

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With the new multi-use trail added to Haley Road between Argyle Street and Forest Street this summer, the next phase of the project is set to begin soon. Phase 5 involves an upgrade of the intersection at Starrs Road and Hardscratch Road, including new curbs & gutter, new concrete pads with tactile warning plates for improved accessibility, and replacement of the lights at the intersection. Here are some important notes for those who frequently travel through this area:

➡ As with previous work done on the project, singe lane traffic will be in place for much of this project. Drivers should expect delays.
➡ Work is set to begin mid to late October/early November. Exact dates will be provided as the contractor gets closer to determining a start date.
Multi-Use Trails Update: Moving on to Phase 5

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Phase 4 of the multi-use trail on Haley Road has been completed. Last week saw the final pieces added, including landscaping, concrete pads with tactile plates for improved accessibility, and trail signage. Residents in the area now have safe access to active living trails from Argyle Street to Starrs Road. Thank you to Aberdeen Paving Ltd and everyone who contributed to the completion of this phase. And of course, thank you to residents and businesses in the area for your patience as we completed the work.

The next phase of the project is Phase 5, which involves a complete makeover of the intersection at Starrs Road and Hardscratch Road. Work will include replacement of the lights at the intersection.
Getting Sooooo Close on Haley Road

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Crews from Aberdeen Paving Ltd made great progress this week on phase 4 of the Haley Road multi-use trail project. With mostly good weather to work with, the following work was completed:

Fine grading of the final stretch of trail is in progress.
- Hydrant installation has taken place.
- A box culvert, an important piece of stormwater infrastructure, was extended.
- 3 of 4 concrete pads that will connect crosswalks and to existing trails, were installed.
Next Week will see touch-up work throughout the new trail, with paving and line painting to follow (weather dependant, of course). With good weather, the project is scheduled to be completed in early August. Learn more about the multi-use trails project at: https://getinvolvedyarmouth.ca/multi-use-trails
Multi-Use Trail Update: Thank You, Savannah Watkins and the YCMHS Co-op Program!

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The Town of Yarmouth Engineering Department was happy to support the Yarmouth Consolidated High School Co-op Education Program this summer. Engineering staff welcomed Savannah Watkins, a Grade 11 student, for a 10-week placement. During that time, Savannah learned to read construction drawings, attended job meetings, and spent plenty of time on construction sites (always wearing her Personal Protective Equipment or PPE, of course). Thanks, Savannah, for your time and interest. Our Engineers are happy and encouraged when students are curious about engineering!

About the Co-op Education Program

Co-operative education (Co-op) is a high school course designed to support all learners in developing the competencies and skills necessary to successfully engage in a wide range of education and career pathways. Co-operative education allows learners to integrate classroom learning, personal interests, and goals with career exploration and real-world experience. This course places learners in workplace environments where they can develop transferable skills, explore the importance of workplace resiliency and flexibility, and benefit from mentorship in authentic community settings. Through co-operative education, learners will increase their awareness about the range of careers options that may be available to them. YCMHS

Picture: Savannah gives her approval during Haley Road Multi-Use Trail, Phase 4 on the first day of paving.
Haley Road Multi-Use Trail Update: Smooth Paving the Week of June 13th

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Aberdeen Paving Ltd continues to stay on schedule with construction of phase 4 of the Haley Road multi-use trail project. The first section of trail, stretching from the intersection of Haley Road and Forest Street directly in front of multiple properties, has been paved and residents in the area have access to the trail. Work is now underway at the south end of Haley Road at Argyle Street, where crews are excavating and installing drainage infrastructure. With the weather continuing to cooperate, the remaining section connecting all the way to Argyle Street will be completed and ready for full use later this summer.

The new trail is a welcome site for residents of Northumberland Properties. It provides a safe, accessible pathway to the trails already in place. Andrew Cameron, General Manager of Northumberland Properties, said, “This multi-use trail is a boon for our tenants and the people of the Town. Our properties at that location have grown over the years, and we have a number of seniors who enjoy getting out to walk. Safe, accessible trails like this to stay active and access Starrs Road will enhance their lives along with others living on this section of Haley Road.”