Quote:
Originally Posted by Jstaleness
I'm going to just try and explain my personal experience with this new Cogswell. I also know it's not completed as Nora Bernard has yet to be opened (behind schedule now) as well as there are likely light cycle adjustments. Hopefully there are cycle adjustments as what's in place now isn't working. This will be from my perspective of using it in a car, as I've only been a pedestrian in this new area twice this year.
Personally, I believe Halifax has implemented a roadway that we would have expected in a city that already had working public transit, dedicated cycle/pedestrian path systems.
It's disappointing to be on a road that is single lane in and out of the biggest downtown core east of Quebec City. I'm not pro or exclusive car usage, however, Halifax is not in a position to pinch roadways and expect drivers to suddenly start taking busses or biking when as stated, proper and effective options don't yet exist. It will likely be an additional 10-15 years before we see complete BRT, Bedford Ferry, and fingers crossed, light rail again. Until then for many, the car remains their only option. I am getting aggravated at daily back up at Cogswell/Brunswick, and Barrington and Cogswell. The light cycles don't work together, there just isn't enough room to capture the spillage from 4-5:30pm and move us out. I love bus lanes, but being forced in and out of them southbound is dangerous and I am surprised more side swipe accidents haven't occurred. Perhaps when Nora Benard is open this will help some, but as others have stated, how easy will it be to enter the roundabout? To think optimistically, I do hope this is just a combination of the work not being completed, unfortunate closures of Bell Rd lanes near Robie at the same time pushing more people to use Barrington as their North route. Finally using the image above, I for one was really hoping and excited to see a grid of streets in the new area. Seeing that snake road with one mostly functioning roundabout is disappointing. That damn sewage treatment plant royally screwed any option to complete north/south streets. Is it just me not seeing the bigger picture, or has there also been no ROW left to implement light rail in the area?
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I live in the north end and frequently see afternoon traffic at a standstill on Gottingen and Agricola - held up by access to the bridge, not Cogswell. Cogswell may very well be causing some pinch points, but I suspect that even if it is, the other pinch points wouldn't let traffic flow anyway.
I think the only way it's going to improve for users of Cogswell and other infrastructure is as you've noted: fast ferry, brt, and lrt... none of which is going to happen fast enough to provide measurable relief any time soon.
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