Snow Emergency and Parking Restriction Updates

Just received this from Ruth at the office of City Council Member Lisa Goodman -

Minneapolis has declared a Snow Emergency beginning today, Dec. 20, 2010. To make the transition from Winter Parking Restrictions to Snow Emergency rules, drivers may start moving their cars off of Snow Emergency Routes and on to EITHER side of the non-Snow Emergency Routes beginning at 4 p.m. today, Dec. 20.

Winter Parking Restrictions, which ban parking on the EVEB side of non-Snow-Emergency routes, are not in effect during this Snow Emergency. However, beginning at 8 a.m., Thursday, Dec. 23, Winter Parking Restrictions will resume.

This latest Snow Emergency will be the 5th of the season. Minneapolis received more than 24 inches of snow in December, making it the 5th snowiest December recorded in the metro area.  Since more snow began falling this morning, City crews have been plowing and treating streets to keep them drivable. Now that a Snow Emergency has been declared, Snow Emergency parking restrictions will take effect beginning at 9 p.m., Monday, so crews can plow the 1,000 miles of streets as wide as possible. That’s the equivalent of 3,200 “lane miles” of streets that need to be plowed—enough to plow a lane from Minneapolis to Anchorage, Alaska.

It is imperative that drivers follow Snow Emergency rules and move their cars out of the ways of the plow. It’s in everyone’s best interest to follow the parking rules so plows can do the best job possible and folks can avoid a ticket and tow. Working together, City crews can deliver the high-quality plowing services that residents demand.

Snow Emergency parking rules
 
Last Night, Dec. 20 , 9 p.m. to 8 a.m.  (Day 1)
Do not park on EITHER side of a Snow Emergency route until the street is fully plowed (completely cleared and plowed to the full width of that side of the street).

Tonight, Dec. 21, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Day 2)
Do not park on the EVEN side of a non-Snow Emergency route, or on EITHER side of a parkway until the street is fully plowed.

Wednesday, Dec. 22, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Day 3)
Do not park on the ODD side of a non-Snow Emergency route until the street is fully plowed.

Thursday, Dec. 23 - 8 a.m. (“Day 4”) - Return to Winter Parking Restrictions
Between 8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 23, and 8 a.m., Friday Dec. 24, people can begin moving their cars from the EVEN side of non-Snow Emergency Routes to the ODD side to be in compliance when the Winter Parking Restrictions resume at 8 a.m. During Winter Parking Restrictions, parking is banned on the EVEN SIDE of non-Snow Emergency Routes. Drivers still need to follow all posted NO PARKING signs.

Winter Parking Restrictions were put into effect Friday, Dec. 17 in Minneapolis to ensure reliable access for emergency vehicles after a record December snowfall. Parking is banned on the even side of non-Snow-Emergency-routes until April 1, unless conditions allow the City to lift the ban earlier. Parking is allowed on both sides of Snow Emergency routes and parkways, and the ODD side of non-Snow Emergency-routes, unless otherwise posted and provided a Snow Emergency has NOT been declared. Drivers parking in Minneapolis must follow these Winter Parking Restrictions, or they could be ticketed and towed.

For more information on Snow Emergencies and Winter Parking Restrictions, visit www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/snow.