Port Hawkesbury Moves Forward with Three-Lane Pilot Project on Reeves Street

Despite a recent vote indicating that most Port Hawkesbury residents prefer their main street to revert to four lanes, the town and province are moving ahead with making a three-lane pilot project a permanent fixture on Reeves Street.

During Tuesday night’s town council meeting, Public Works officials announced their plan to complete work on a permanent three-lane alignment for Reeves Street by 2027, pending approval from the provincial government.

The upgrades will involve reducing the width of the provincially owned street and revamping traffic lights at two intersections that have experienced significant traffic congestion over the past year.

Although a plebiscite conducted last fall as part of the town’s municipal elections showed that 60% of participating voters preferred the previous four-lane alignment, which was removed in 2019, Public Works officials believe that major traffic issues will be resolved with the new three-lane system.

Destination Reeves Street Pilot Project

Six years ago, the province and town council introduced the Destination Reeves Street pilot project, which reduced a one-kilometre stretch of the main thoroughfare from four lanes to three. This redesign included strategic turning lanes at the entrances and exits to local businesses, shopping plazas, and other public spaces, aiming to slow down traffic to the speed limit of 50 kilometres per hour.

Data collected by Public Works through engineering firm CBCL indicated that the average speed on Reeves Street from 2019 to 2025 was 54 kilometres per hour, with a peak of 63.9 km/h between 4 and 5 a.m. While some residents and councillors criticized the three-lane system in 2024 for causing traffic delays during peak hours, Public Works officials confirmed that the issues were mainly due to traffic lights at two intersections.

Positive Outlook for Reeves Street’s Future

Following the presentation to council, Mayor Brenda Chisholm-Beaton expressed enthusiasm for the street’s future, citing the project as a grassroots initiative aimed at enhancing safety for all users and improving business facades and streetscapes.

Deputy Mayor Iaian Langley, who was elected as one of three new councillors last fall, voiced his support for the current configuration of Reeves Street, noting that the data demonstrates its safety. He also emphasized the importance of addressing issues related to the entrance to a residential area outside of the Destination Reeves Street sector.

In conclusion, council unanimously agreed to draft a letter to the provincial department urging them to finance the upgrade of Reeves Street. The project is seen as a step towards creating a safer and more efficient main thoroughfare for Port Hawkesbury residents and visitors.