Politics · Canada · 7 hrs ago
Bedford residents raise density and traffic concerns over waterfront plans
Bedford residents raised concerns about density and traffic at an open house on plans to redevelop Mill Cove and the Bedford waterfront in Nova Scotia.
The project is planned to include an electric ferry linking Bedford with downtown Halifax, as well as a public library, housing and park improvements.
Mill Cove has been designated for growth by the municipality and as a development opportunity by the province, providing a basis for studying changes to the area.
Planners aim to create pedestrian-friendly public spaces and improve mobility, while addressing coastal hazards and enhancing the waterfront.
The ferry is intended to reduce travel time on the Bedford Highway and ease demand on other routes, and governments have committed funding to the project.
The ferry’s planned launch was delayed by land negotiations, and no new start date is given; planners say they welcome residents’ ideas as they develop recommendations.
Bedford residents raised concerns about housing density and traffic at an open house about the Mill Cove and Bedford Waterfront revitalization project.
The project is planned to include an electric high-speed ferry linking Bedford to downtown Halifax, along with housing, a new public library and park improvements.
Residents also discussed access, infrastructure and the location of higher-density housing.
Municipal planners said they are gathering community input and studying transit-oriented development for the area.
The ferry service was initially scheduled to begin in 2027-28 but was delayed because of land negotiations.
- Who
- Bedford residents, municipal planners and other community members.
- What
- Residents shared views on the Mill Cove and Bedford Waterfront plans, raising concerns about density and traffic.
- When
- Wednesday, November 4, 2026.
- Where
- The Bedford Legion in Bedford, Nova Scotia.
- Why
- The open house gathered community input on early plans for a waterfront revitalization that includes a ferry service.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The Mill Cove ferry was announced as part of a joint investment by all three levels of government.
The ferry service was initially scheduled to begin, but was delayed because of land negotiations.
Residents attended an open house at the Bedford Legion to comment on the early project plans.
- Project area
- Mill Cove and Bedford Waterfront
- Ferry route
- Mill Cove to downtown Halifax
- Federal commitment
- $155.7 million
- Provincial commitment
- $65 million
- Municipal contribution
- About $40 million
What people are saying
All of those combined is essentially a strong reason for us to study the area and look at a transit-oriented development or community.
I’m hoping that they come in with all of their passion, all of their ideas, what they value, what they love about their community, so we can reflect that in our planning policies and planning recommendations,
You have to pick out the proper areas for the high density, and you still need people who want to buy single-home dwellings. So a lot of that has to be addressed,
We need to make it a space where everybody has access to it. So I think those things are really important before we get into housing, but I think the ferry needs to happen quick.