Wolfville's Safer Streets Initiative

THIS PAGE IS CURRENTLY BEING UPDATED.

The Town of Wolfville is making a $3,326,632 investment in active transportation infrastructure. $887,212 has been budgeted by the Town, and $2,439,419 has been awarded by the Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP).

To support active transportation, we are tackling road safety in Wolfville. Additional active transportation investments will occur through the Town's annual budget process. Implementing a town-wide active transportation network and enhancing mobility in the Town has been a long-standing aspiration of the community, reflected through the planning processes, policy and strategy undertaken to date:

The implementation of the Active Transportation Network enables us to have more livable streets, more people downtown, more options to safely have fun, and the ability to grow without more traffic.

Some of the recent improvements, and others you can expect to see in 2026 include:

Harvest Moon Trail improvements

• The section from Harbourside Drive to Elm Avenue was completed in late 2025.
• The section from Elm Avenue to the rear of the Wolfville Farmer's Market will be completed in spring 2026.
• A concrete path from the Harvest Moon Trail to the Wolfvillle Farmer's Market parking lot will be constructed in spring 2026.
  

Active transportation paint markings

• Shared pathway paint markings and traffic calming along Cherry Lane to the Harvest Moon Trail entrance.
• Shared pathway paint markings and traffic calming along Kent Avenue.
• Shared pathway paint markings along Highland Avenue multi-use paths and crosswalks.
• New bike lanes were painted onto Main Street in 2025 with bollards located to encourage safer vehicle movement through Town.
• Due to planned road construction spring/summer 2026, the bollards may not be installed this year, or will be installed in select sites.

Signage and wayfinding

• Signage to improve safety for active transportation users will be installed along Main Street and Highland Avenue in 2026 (see below).
• Trail signage along the Millennium Trail and Harvest Moon Trail will be installed in spring/summer 2026 (see below).
• Trail signage for the Reservoir Park mountain biking trails will be designed in 2026.

Focus for 2026:

Sherwood Drive

Pleasant and Skyway Drive

How can I get involved?

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This project is funded in part by the Government of Canada

ICIP is a federal and provincial grant program designed to help communities:

• Reduce air and water pollution, provide clean water, increase resilience to climate change and create a clean-growth economy;
• Build strong, dynamic and inclusive communities; and
• Ensure Canadian families have access to modern, reliable services that improve their quality of life.

The Green Infrastructure Steam of the funding supports projects with outcomes in three crucial areas:

• Climate Change Mitigation
• Adaptation, Resilience and Disaster Mitigation
• Environmental Quality

The ICIP funding must be used by 2027, and will help build 10,350 metres of active transportation infrastructure in Town.

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Active Transportation is Climate Action

Wolfville Council has adopted a Climate Action Plan. Included in this Plan is a goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 45% by 2030, and to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. Investing in active transportation infrastructure is an action that municipal government can take that has a medium-high potential impact on greenhouse gas emissions reductions.

To achieve a low carbon future in Wolfville, emissions from transportation must decrease by 28%, to help achieve this goal, we are aiming for 40% of short trips to be made by walking or biking by 2023, and 50% by 2050.

While 44% of working residents in Wolfville work within Wolfville, only 2% commute by bike and 22% by walking.

Our Climate Action Plan recommends we aim for a goal of 50% of in-town commuting is made by active transportation.

Our current infrastructure is inadequate, and deters many would-be active transportation users from using this option over a motor vehicle. Investing in a safe, accessible active transportation network will encourage more users to make zero-emissions trips more frequently.

Why are we striving for All Ages and Abilities (AAA) in Wolfville?

• Can increase bicycle ridership and confidence of reluctant users
• Improves traffic safety for all users
• Can contribute to reducing congestion (including parking issues)
• Improves air quality and public health
• Provides better and more equitable access to jobs and opportunities

Active Transportation is a key priority of both the current Council and the Town’s Municipal Planning Strategy. Improving active transportation in the Town has long been an aspirational priority of the community.

Share your thoughts in the comment section below!

Check out the frequently asked questions (FAQs) and documents on the right to learn more!