Watch above: Would you give up parking for better snow removal? As Kendra Slugoski reports, a new pilot project will test out a one side of the street parking ban while windrows will be on the other side.
EDMONTON – A pilot project that will see four Edmonton neighbourhoods test out a one side of the street winter parking ban was approved by committee Wednesday.
The City of Edmonton’s Transportation Committee asked councillors to consider the controversial snow removal plan that would have crews create a windrow on one side of the street.
A parking ban would be in place on that side of the street, with residents free to park on the opposite side.
There will be at least two access points per block cleared on the windrow side.
Under the pilot project, the method would be tested in four neighbourhoods: West Jasper Place, Crestwood, Haddow and Henderson Estates.
The one-sided ban would be in effect from November 2014 until March 2015.
There are concerns the plan would restrict access to the side of the street with the windrow.
“I think, in a lot of the mature neighbourhoods, it’s going to be successful,” said Councillor Andrew Knack, “and, in some of the newer neighbourhoods – I have a few in Ward 1 – this could be a struggle.”
“They’re just setting themselves up to get yelled at to be quite frank,” said Councillor Mike Nickel.
The transportation department is asking for resident feedback and will also monitor social media. It will report back with results in June.
The committee says the project can be abandoned during the winter if it fails. However, the city’s director of roadway maintanence believes the one side of the street parking ban will actually result in better snow removal.
Three cents of every tax dollar was spent on snow removal last year in Edmonton.
The pilot project would be cost neutral.
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