Key Takeaways:
- Halifax’s traffic congestion is not improving and remains among the worst in Canada, with the city centre ranking third worst in the country.
- The annual traffic index from TomTom suggests that congestion levels in Halifax were around 45% in 2025, resulting in a loss of 111 hours for drivers in rush-hour traffic.
- The city’s population growth and lack of access points to the urban core are contributing factors to the congestion.
- A major shift to transit is seen as the only way to improve congestion, with a 2022-23 Dalhousie study showing that about 77% of Halifax residents depend on their car for trips.
- The city and province are working on short- and long-term solutions, including a rapid bus system, but funding is needed to make it a reality.
Introduction to Traffic Congestion in Halifax
The city of Halifax is facing a significant problem with traffic congestion, which is not improving and remains among the worst in Canada. According to the annual traffic index from geolocation company TomTom, Halifax’s city centre ranked third worst in the country for congestion in 2025, trailing only Vancouver and Toronto. This is the second year in a row that Halifax has held this ranking, with congestion levels measuring around 45% in 2025, resulting in a loss of 111 hours for drivers in rush-hour traffic.
Causes of Traffic Congestion
The causes of traffic congestion in Halifax are multifaceted, but one major contributing factor is the city’s population growth. Since 2021, the city’s population has grown by over 60,000 people, reaching approximately 503,000 in 2024. However, the city’s infrastructure has not kept pace with this growth, with only a few access points to the urban core, such as the two harbour bridges and the Windsor Street exchange. Ahsan Habib, a transportation professor with Dalhousie University, notes that the city’s geography makes it difficult to improve congestion without a major shift to transit.
Need for Transit
Habib emphasizes that the only way to improve congestion in Halifax is to reduce the number of cars on the road and increase the use of public transit. A 2022-23 Dalhousie study showed that about 77% of Halifax residents depend on their car for trips, with only about 6% choosing transit. This reliance on cars is a major contributor to congestion, and Habib believes that a rapid bus system could help to alleviate the problem. He suggests that the city start a pilot project with one rapid bus route, even without dedicated bus lanes for the entire route, to test the effectiveness of the system and identify areas for improvement.
Current Efforts to Address Congestion
The city and province are working on short- and long-term solutions to address congestion, including the development of a rapid bus system. The Link Nova Scotia plan outlines a number of initiatives, including the creation of bus lanes and the planning of routes. However, Deputy Mayor Patty Cuttell notes that provincial and federal funding is needed to make these plans a reality. Cuttell emphasizes that transit remains a priority for the municipality, but that more investment is needed to create a effective and efficient system.
Global Comparison
The TomTom index shows that Halifax ranks 147th in the world for congestion, behind cities such as Berlin, Tokyo, Stockholm, and Dubai. This ranking highlights the severity of the congestion problem in Halifax and the need for urgent action to address it. Habib notes that while Halifax has not yet reached a traffic crisis, it is heading in that direction if significant changes are not made to the city’s transportation system.
Conclusion
In conclusion, traffic congestion in Halifax is a significant problem that requires immediate attention. The city’s population growth and lack of access points to the urban core are contributing factors to the congestion, and a major shift to transit is seen as the only way to improve the situation. While the city and province are working on short- and long-term solutions, including a rapid bus system, funding is needed to make these plans a reality. It is essential that the city and province work together to address the congestion problem and create a more efficient and effective transportation system for the benefit of all residents.
