Annual Report 2004 - Halifax Regional Municipality

PUBLIC WORKS & Transportation
(PWT) plans, constructs, maintains
and regulates the effective use of
public infrastructure and transportation
facilities such as streets, sidewalks, sewers,
transit & ferry systems for the purposes of
addressing public transportation, safety,
infrastructure life cycle costs and legislated
requirements, for citizens, businesses and
visitors.
A C C O M P L I S H M E N T S
PWT Emergency Management has played
a prominent role in recent years, and the
blizzard of ‘04 was no exception. The
February storm ranked 8th in Environment
Canada’s Top 10 Weather Events, and
allowed PWT to flex its operational muscle
both on the street and in the Emergency
Operations Centre.
Despite this emergency event, PWT
was able to achieve major successes
particularly in the Transportation and
Transit areas.
The Crosstown #52 bus route is the
first of its kind in the amalgamated
HRM. By linking two major business
parks (Burnside and Bayers Lake) the
transit route provides passengers with a
fast and convenient crosstown experience.
The introduction of increased
weekend frequencies on many routes, the
addition of more completely Accessible
Low Floor (ALF) routes for a total of 8,
and the start of construction on the new
Portland Hills Transit Terminal, have all
significantly improved transit service for
the residents of HRM.
In keeping with the safe and expedient
movement of travellers though our road
network, the re-alignment of the Bayers
Road and Windsor Street intersection has
allowed for smoother traffic flow in and
out of the downtown core.
Internally, PWT continues to strive
towards improved workplace relations and
providing a harmonious and productive
environment. A series of workshops
entitled “Respect in the Workplace” is
the first of its kind in the business unit.
The workshops provided an opportunity
for staff to discuss issues of concern and
possible solutions.
November 2005 in Lower Sackville,
complete with a new terminal in Lower
Sackville and Station on Windmill
Road and the Active Transportation
plan, will provide citizens with more
options for alternative transportation that
are in keeping with a healthy, vibrant
community.
PWT will work towards establishing
higher capital investment for infrastructure
upgrading and renewal. Operationally
speaking, the business unit will also
conduct an organizational review
designed to ensure services are properly
aligned to best meet the needs of the
public.
With nearly a third of the 700 + PWT
employees being eligible for retirement
by 2009, succession planning will be a
key initiative in the coming year. Public
Works will focus on attracting highly
trained and experienced professionals into
the HRM workforce. ■
Halifax Regional Municipality has the oldest, continuous saltwater
ferry service in North America.
INITIATIVES
With the Regional Plan coming into
its final phase, PWT will continue to
focus on strategies for improved transit and
transportation networks.
The implementation of Metro
Transit’s new BRT service, scheduled
for August 2005 in Cole Harbour and
At a Glance: PWT is HRM’s largest business unit, with more than 700 employees • 26,000 tonnes of road salt; 8,600 tonnes of sand used in snow & ice operations • actual snowfall: 240 cm;
normal snowfall: 188 cm • average cost to provide street snow & ice services - $8,100 /km • 562 km of streets and 757 km of sidewalks maintained • Transit ridership increased by 500,000
passenger trips • draft “Infectious Disease Response Plan” submitted to Emergency Measures • pilot program for “Respect in the Workplace” initiative • over 90% of construction tenders completed
25 — Halifax Regional Municipality