Broken sidewalks and heaved pavement are invisible hazards — especially dangerous for elderly residents, people with mobility issues, parents with strollers, and cyclists.
Halifax has thousands of problem sidewalks. HRM repairs them, but only if they know about them.
What to Report
Raised or sunken concrete: (trip hazard)
Cracks wide enough to catch a wheel or heel
Gaps between pavement sections
Sidewalk collapse or hole
Root damage or frost heave
Icy conditions in winter: (not structural, but safety-relevant)
How to Report Sidewalk Damage
Best way: Report on SolveHFX
Take a photo showing the hazard from multiple angles
Pin the exact location
Note severity and impact
Direct to HRM:
311: [311.halifax.ca](https://311.halifax.ca) or call 311
Email: contactus@311.halifax.ca
How Long Until Repair?
Severe hazard: (4"+ difference, causing injuries): 2-3 weeks
Moderate hazard: (2-4" difference): 3-8 weeks
Minor wear: (cracks, settling): 2-3 months or during scheduled maintenance
What to Include
Height difference: "About 2 inches" is more useful than "broken"
Location hazard: "Outside the school entrance" or "near the transit stop" = higher priority
Accessibility impact: "Makes it impassable for wheelchairs" gets attention
Photo showing the trip hazard: Angle the photo to show depth
Worst Sidewalk Areas
Downtown: (heavy foot traffic accelerates wear)
Near transit stops: (higher usage)
School routes: (children at risk)
Parks and waterfront: (root growth and moisture damage)
Residential streets: (aging infrastructure)
Pro Tips
1. Report with multiple sightings: If you report the same damage multiple times over weeks, it gets bumped up
2. Mention injury risk: "Elderly neighbor tripped here last week" = expedited
3. Include nearby landmarks: "Sidewalk in front of the red building on Quinpool" helps crews locate it
4. Report in winter if icy: Safety hazards get winter priority
Report sidewalk damage now — make Halifax accessible for everyone.