Now that the winter season has wrapped up, municipal staff have transitioned to annual spring cleanup activities across the region.
Crews are working in all areas to address litter, remove downed branches and other winter debris, and empty garbage cans in municipal parks, playgrounds, sports fields, trails and other open spaces.
All 1000 kilometres of sidewalks will be mechanically swept and cleared of debris over the next few weeks, with the initial effort focused on improving conditions in downtown Halifax and Dartmouth.
The municipality has also deployed its eight vacuum street sweepers and two tandem broom trucks for an initial cleaning of approximately 1,500 kilometres of roadway and 3,000 kilometres of curb in the core areas of Halifax, Dartmouth and Bedford. In areas where snow clearing was done by contractors, street and sidewalk cleaning will be completed by the same contractor, as needed.
Clearing debris from the region’s bicycle lanes is also a priority, which will take place in tandem with the street cleaning work.
Overnight Street Cleaning Program
The municipality’s Overnight Street Cleaning Program will go into effect on the Halifax Peninsula on Monday, April 29. Parking restrictions to facilitate street cleaning equipment will go into effect at the same time.
A substantial street cleaning program takes place each year to wash away remaining salt and brine, and to ensure the streets are kept reasonably clear of debris for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians. As a preventative measure, the program also helps decrease the amount of debris and sediment entering the storm drain system.
The program includes weekly, scheduled service on the Halifax Peninsula, and other streets within the municipality’s core area are serviced no less than three times per year.
Halifax Peninsula street cleaning takes place on weekdays between 12:05 a.m. and 8 a.m., to minimize the impact on daytime traffic and parking. All other areas scheduled for street cleaning are completed during daytime hours. Residents are advised to find off-street parking during the evenings their neighbourhood is being serviced. If not, their vehicles may be ticketed. Crews cycle through the neighbourhoods, so residents should refer to on-street parking signage for their service day.
Neighbourhood Spring Cleanup
Residents are encouraged to assist with spring cleanup activities by organizing or participating in a neighbourhood litter pickup, in addition to cleaning up around their own property. Garbage on private property is the responsibility of the property owner and should be properly sorted and prepared for curbside collection. The schedule for collection of garbage, organics and recyclables is available online at www.halifax.ca/recycle/garbage.php. Please report instances of litter or overflowing garbage cans on municipal property to 311 or contact@halifax.ca so that crews can be dispatched for cleanup.
Residents are permitted to place one large bulky item, such as a piece of furniture, curbside for collection every garbage day. The Otter Lake Waste Processing & Disposal Facility also accepts excess bags of garbage from residents, for a small fee.
Leaf and yard waste can be placed in the green bin, but no grass clippings. Any excess leaf and yard waste can be placed in large paper bags - not plastic - for curbside organics collection. Material must be placed curbside no later than 7 a.m. on collection day to ensure pickup.
Municipal and contracted crews will also be out in the coming weeks repairing damage caused by snow-clearing equipment this past winter. Please report turf, curb, or other damage sustained from snow clearing operations to 311 or contact@halifax.ca.