Taking Pride In Our Crosswalks

Posted:

EN

The Halifax Regional Municipality is demonstrating its commitment to diversity and inclusion by reimplementing the rainbow crosswalk program this season.

Painting is underway at four highly visible downtown Halifax and Dartmouth crosswalks with the colours of the rainbow.

The rainbow flag is synonymous with the 2SLGBT2Q+ community and as such the municipality is showing its support by laying down the colours in some of our crosswalks in time for Halifax Pride 2017.

Selected crosswalks include:

  • Gottingen and Cornwallis streets (repaint)
  • Spring Garden Road and South Park Street (repaint)
  • Alderney Drive and Ochterloney Street (repaint)
  • Spring Garden at Queen Street (new – replacing Spring Garden Road and Barrington Street)

In addition to municipal-funded crosswalks, five new rainbow crosswalks will be funded in partnership with local area Councillors and Business Improvement Districts:

  • Millwood Drive at Sackville Drive
  • Cobequid Drive at Sackville Drive
  • Leaside Drive at Sackville Drive
  • Portland Street at King Street
  • Bedford Highway at Hammonds Plains Road

Painting will occur throughout the week after 12:30 a.m. Work is expected to be completed next week.

Paint is to government safety and environmental standards and crews are taking extra measures to reduce slippery surfaces and ensure the existing safety infrastructure is not altered.

Diverse ideas and inclusive actions create stronger communities. This fun and creative approach to sharing the municipality’s Pride as a community was a collaborative effort between the 2SLGBT2Q+ community, the Mayor’s Office and Transportation and Public Works municipal staff.

Sidewalk Painting Not Permitted

The municipality recognizes many residents and businesses have a desire to express support for Halifax Pride 2017 through street art. While we are proud that the public wishes to share such positive messages, public safety remains our top priority.

The municipality encourages residents and business owners to familiarize themselves with Bylaw S-300, the Streets By-Law (specifically Sections 30 and 43) and Bylaw S-801, the bylaw for Temporary Signs (specifically Part 5) when considering adding artwork to municipal sidewalks.

Some materials, especially when applied to sidewalks, can become slippery in wet weather. It is in the interest of public safety that material, other than chalk, not be applied on the right of way by residents and business owners.  

Crews will remove artwork on sidewalks that violate these bylaws.

The municipality thanks residents and business owners for their co-operation and consideration on this matter.