The Allan Street Pylon Wars are over
The last pylon was piled on the pylon pile ups
by Katy Jean
There has been a war in Halifax’s West End.
If you’re not familiar with the Pylon Wars, the battleground is at the intersection of Harvard and Allan Streets.
In the fall of 2025 a traffic diverter was installed, despite 22 residents who bemoaned it at Supreme Court.
The diverter, made of concrete barriers and a middle bit of flex posts that allow emergency vehicles through, protects people who walk, bike, and live on the street.
Thirty-two signs exist around and about the diverter.
The signs tell drivers they cannot go straight through Harvard. They must turn onto Allan. Allan is divided the same way, and signs insist drivers must turn onto Harvard.
In winter 2026 the city removed the flex posts.
“During winter months, the flexible bollards in the middle of the Allan–Harvard diagonal traffic diverter make snow clearing work more challenging, which can impact the ability for emergency vehicles to drive through the flexible bollards. To maintain through-access for emergency vehicles, the flexible bollards have been temporarily removed for the winter season.
In the interim, temporary traffic cones/barrels are in place to reinforce the intended function of the diverter. Drivers and cyclists must continue to follow all posted signs and travel routes through the intersection. The central flexible bollards will be in place seasonally and will be reinstalled in spring,”
said the city on a website.
This sparked the war.
