Halifax Harbour Bridges (HHB) is reminding cyclists to slow down and use caution when on the MacDonald Bridge.
In a news release, Tuesday, HHB said more than 10,000 cyclists use the harbour bridge in the summer, so they need users to respect the 25 km/h speed limit.
Lately, there have been an increase in incidents and near misses due to speeding.
“We’ve seen some riders crossing at very high speeds,” said HHB CEO Tony Wright. “The bridge is a shared space, and everyone’s safety depends on users following the rules and remaining aware of their surroundings.”
The Halifax tower is undergoing a rehabilitation project called Project Lifespan, that is stripping seven decades of paint, then wrapping them to be preserved for decades.
As part of the ongoing Halifax tower rehabilitation project, there is an overhead work platform that reduces the width of both the walkway and bikeway.
“We’ve installed additional signage and mirrors to improve visibility through the area,” said Safety Manager Lori Jardine. “However, riders still need to approach the construction zone with caution and be prepared to slow down when conditions require it.”
Measures are also being reviewed to improve safety including signage and infrastructure improvements to keep cyclists and pedestrians in their designated lanes.
“Whenever this issue comes up, some people immediately call for enforcement,” said Stephen Ashton, operations supervisor. “Enforcement has a role to play, but our focus is on prevention and education. This is fundamentally a safety issue, and we’re asking everyone to do their part to keep the crossing safe for all users.”
