The city of Halifax has spent around $250,000 fixing an intersection that the local councillor says was more unpopular than unsafe.

The new intersection connecting Kearney Lake Road and Larry Uteck Boulevard drew complaints from residents in Hammonds Plains and Bedford, says Matt Whitman, councillor for Hammonds Plains – St. Margarets.

Matt Whitman, regional councillor for the area, says he's had complaints from people in his constituency. (CBC)

"It wasn't built so that our residents could drive it safely," Whitman said Wednesday.

"You had to change your driving patterns to drive through the intersection, and residents weren't able to change — or resisted that change."

'It wasn't perfect'

The intersection originally cost $1.2 million last December, but drivers said the turn was too sharp and the stop sign at the end of the road was hidden in the middle of the curve.

Some blame recent traffic collisions on these problems, Whitman said.

"It was — engineering-wise — built OK, but it wasn't perfect," Whitman said.

"My residents made a lot of noise. Bedford residents made a lot of noise and the city listened and we got it done."

'Two thumbs down'

The $250,000 wasn't spent under the direction of Halifax Regional Council. It was ordered at the discretion of the city's chief administration officer Richard Butts, since the cost is under $500,000.

A 15-centimetre divider barrier, more signs and lights and a bike lane built away from traffic have been added.

Jeff Rogers, who lives in the area, sarcastically calls the intersection an "amazing use of tax dollars" even after the additions.

"I think the practicality of it is not so great. I'd give it a two thumbs down," Rogers said.

Changes to slow down drivers

The intersection is tricky with so many people from outside the communities driving through, neighbour Karen McIntyre said.

"I think the Halifax people who are driving need to slow down and be more responsive and pay attention to other drivers," McIntyre said.

A city program engineer previously told CBC, the goal of the upgrade was to encourage people to slow down.

"That's really the number one reason why we're having the number of near misses that we do," Paul Burgess said.

The changes to the intersection were unveiled this week.