Nova ScotiaThe study of passenger rail is part of a broader effort to address the transportation challenges and traffic congestion that are plaguing the province’s capital region.Study part of regional transportation plan released earlier this monthTaryn Grant · CBC News · Posted: Aug 19, 2025 1:15 PM EDT | Last Updated: 9 hours agoA test vehicle for the Eglinton Crosstown light rail train in Toronto. The Nova Scotia government is looking for a feasibility study of ‘high capacity’ transit solutions for Halifax and the surrounding area, including light rail transit and regional passenger rail. (Christopher Mulligan/CBC)Nova Scotia is trying to narrow in on a consultant to study the potential for passenger rail in and around Halifax.The province issued a call Tuesday for firms to express their interest, acting on one component of a regional transportation plan that was released earlier this month.The step toward passenger rail is part of a broader effort to address the transportation challenges and traffic congestion that are plaguing the province’s capital region.”Passenger and light rail has the potential to reshape travel for Nova Scotians by providing a safe, reliable and high-capacity form of transit service,” said Public Works Minister Fred Tilley in a news release.Tilley said rail transit would be an “incredibly complex” undertaking, and the study will ensure decisions are “researched, evidence-based and tailored for Nova Scotians.”CBC News requested an interview with Tilley but he was not made available.Nova Scotia Public Works Minister Fred Tilley. (Tom Ayers/CBC)The recently released regional transportation plan suggests that the study should prioritize potential rail connections between Halifax, Bedford and Windsor, and Halifax and Lantz.The province said in its news release that the study will evaluate possible rail corridors and advance conceptual designs. It’s also meant to provide an evaluation of the different rail options and a long-term strategy for phasing any rail projects. The strategy should “support growth, network resiliency and strategic corridor preservation,” the news release said.A public tender document posted for potential bidders notes that Nova Scotia has “geographic constraints,” that make high-capacity transit challenging. The constraints, the documents says, include steep grades, narrow corridors and heritage areas.The regional transportation plan identified several other projects for study, including an intermunicipal bus service, a core street review of Halifax, a new harbour bridge and new ferry terminals.ABOUT THE AUTHORTaryn Grant covers daily news for CBC Nova Scotia, with a particular interest in housing and homelessness, education, and health care. You can email her with tips and feedback at taryn.grant@cbc.ca
Nova Scotia seeking to study potential of passenger rail in Halifax area
