Halifax’s mayor is planning to put forward a bold motion to tackle traffic congestion when Regional Council meets early next week.

Andy Fillmore will recommend council direct the CAO to pause awarding any contracts for new bike lanes until there is a staff report to understand how these projects affect traffic and congestion.

He will ask for a list of bike lane projects in the current four-year capital plan that could lead to less room for vehicles and jam up traffic.

In a release, Fillmore says Halifax is growing fast, and needs a transportation network that works for everyone.

He says the motion isn’t about stopping projects, it’s about sequencing progress properly, and Halifax residents are feeling frustrated by congestion, which harms economic productivity and increases emissions.

The AAA bike network costs have ballooned to $93 million from the initial $25 million projection.

Fillmore adds the province’s new focus on rapid transit makes this a timely moment to reassess and redesign.

The mayor will also ask for a feasibility assessment on how to achieve active transportation goals while improving the flow of traffic.

In an effort to decongest certain areas of the city, council approved a motion in February, for the redevelopment of the Windsor Street Exchange.

That motion was originally scrapped due to the lack of transit and bike lanes, until it was amended.

A new bill tabled in the provincial budget that gives the province power over transit and transportation created a sense of urgency to reverse course.

Fillmore will table this new motion, Tuesday.