Halifax council backs away from making Morris Street one-way for bike lane

Halifax regional council has reversed its course on a local bike lane, voting 11-5 on Tuesday to rescind a motion that would have turned Morris Street into a one-way road.

"Sometimes it's better to make a strategic retreat on one battle than to lose the war," CAO Cathie O'Toole told council. "And we have much more to lose right now than we do to gain by proceeding."

O'Toole was responding to a question from District 12 Coun. Janet Steele about what has changed since staff previously recommended moving forward with the bike lane a month ago.

The CAO listed factors such as Premier Tim Houston's letter saying his government would overturn council's decision if they proceeded with the bike lane, and a letter from Emergency Medical Services Inc. that cited concerns about making Morris Street one-way.

She also pointed out that critical work on congestion management is underway between the municipality and the province. This includes the Mill Cove ferry expansion, and a significant funding request for bus rapid transit and enabling technology that will help with the transportation network.

"So from my perspective, it would be irresponsible for us not to bring forward for this recommendation to do the motion of rescission," O'Toole said.

'We have a relationship that we need to maintain'

Coun. Cathy Deagle Gammon, who represents District 1, said she supported the motion to rescind because of the new information.

"If there's more information that's going to let us make a better decision then let's go get the information," Deagle Gammon said.

Coun. Jean St-Amand, who represents District 16, said he would support the motion to rescind.

"I'm not wild about setting a precedent of changing course as the result of a threat," he said.

"But I do recognize that we have a relationship that we need to maintain with the province. We need them as much as they need us and we need to re-establish that good, working relationship. I'm going to support the motion of rescission principally for that reason."

'Maybe we wait'

St-Amand said if decisions are going to be data driven, "the idea that new information has been presented to us and to ignore that wouldn't be right either."

Mayor Andy Fillmore, who originally brought forward the idea to walk back the Morris Street bike lane project, told council that Tuesday's discussion was about building a connected bike network and making the city greener, safer and more livable.

"Today, we have a chance to correct course, not because we were wrong to act but because we are right to adjust our course. That's the job and that's the leadership people in communities expect from us," Fillmore said.

While he voted in favour of rescinding the motion, Coun. Sam Austin who represents District 5 said he hopes to revisit the Morris Street bike lane idea in the future.

"I think it's important for us to take a look at all the options, see what makes sense, see what our preferred option and if it turns out to be the one-way, well, maybe we just wait for a change in provincial government," Austin told reporters outside council.

"No one is around forever, including myself, so circumstances change and if that's the best option, maybe we wait."