New snow removal and parking restrictions begin in Idaho Falls
As new snow falls in east Idaho, the Idaho Falls City Council has approved new changes to the Snow Removal Parking Restrictions ordinance and also adopted a new Snow and Ice Control Policy.
The new policies go into effect immediately. One of the biggest changes Idaho Falls residents need to be aware of is the change to the issuing of Snow Proclamations. These proclamations were what once triggered the parking restrictions but under the new rules, park restrictions would begin whenever a snow event occurs. A snow event is defined as any time there is more than 2 inches of snowfall as measured by the Idaho Transportation Board’s I-15 Idaho Falls Weather Station.
Once a snow event occurs, parking restrictions will begin and plowing the roads will begin as a high priority. The city will communicate the restrictions and planned plowing through the normal communication channels including through local media channels and emergency alert systems.
For more information, you can read the full press release from the City of Idaho Falls below:
The Idaho Falls City Council approved changes to the Snow Removal Parking Restrictions Ordinance and adopted a new Snow and Ice Control Policy at tonight’s meeting. All changes will be effective December 9, 2016. The changes were initiated after extensive outreach with residents regarding last year’s snow removal activities.
“The intent of these changes is to provide the most efficient level of service to our residents and the traveling public with no increase to the snow removal budget,” states Public Works Director Chris Fredericksen. “This is being accomplished by minimizing the number of streets where snow is picked up and hauled off and by using city employees and equipment to the maximum extent possible, thereby reducing snow removal costs. These changes will also allow for more frequent plowing of residential streets,” adds Fredericksen.
One of the most significant changes is that the former method of initiating a Snow Proclamation will no longer be issued. This method used to be what triggered snow removal parking restrictions. Now, the parking restrictions will automatically be in effect whenever a snow event occurs. A snow event is defined as any occurrence in which more than two (2) inches of snow accumulates on the roadway as measured by the Idaho Transportation Department’s I-15 Idaho Falls Weather Station. The weather station is located near the junction of I-15 and US-20.
When a qualifying snow event occurs, parking restrictions will be in effect and plowing of all streets will begin on a priority basis. The city will continue to issue public notices of snow events and parking restrictions using their current communication channels such as local media outlets, city website, social media pages and text alerts. The public is encouraged to stay tuned to these communication channels during a snow event for information and updates. They can sign up for text alerts by texting ifalerts to 91011.
“These changes provide a consistent guideline and will allow us to begin plowing residential areas as soon as higher priority streets are cleared,” states Fredericksen. “The changes also provide better insight to the public regarding our snow removal activities. The key point to emphasize with these changes is that as soon as two (2) inches of snow accumulates within the roadway, residents should plan to move vehicles off the road in compliance with these parking restrictions to allow access for snow removal equipment.”
DOWNTOWN PARKING RESTRICTIONS
Parking restrictions in downtown have been changed to no parking on north & south streets during a snow event on any even calendar day between 12 a.m. and 8 a.m. There will be no parking on east & west streets during a snow event on any odd calendar day between 12 a.m. and 8 a.m.
ZONE A PARKING RESTRICTIONS
Parking restrictions for streets within Zone A include no parking on north & south streets during a snow event on any even calendar day between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. There will be no parking on east & west streets during a snow event on any odd calendar day between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.
ZONE B PARKING RESTRICTIONS
Parking restrictions for streets within Zone B (majority of the city) include no parking during a snow event on any street at any time. The new policy also defines how the city will conduct snow removal activities. Essentially, priority 1, 2 and 3 streets have been established to dictate the order in which the streets are plowed.
Priority 1: Higher use arterial streets such as 17th Street, Hitt Road and Sunnyside Road. Priority 2: Minor collector streets, including streets serving emergency response facilities and schools. Priority 3: All streets not designated as priority 1 or 2.
A link to the revised ordinance, policy, maps, zones and additional information can be found on the homepage of the city’s website. Community members are encouraged to review the webpage and/or call the Street Division at (208) 612-8490 for questions.
