Winter Parking Restrictions Announced by Minneapolis

Minneapolis institutes Winter Parking Restrictions to improve access for public safety vehicles.

To ensure that Minneapolis public safety crews and equipment can safely and swiftly reach every home and business in the city, public safety and Public Works officials have enacted Winter Parking Restrictions beginning at 8 a.m., Friday, Dec. 17, 2010.

Police Chief Tim Dolan and Public Works Director Steve Kotke – in consultation with Fire Chief Alex Jackson - made the decision to enact Winter Parking Restrictions because the conditions warrant taking this step to maintain public safety.

Last weekend’s blizzard was a historic storm – the fifth largest in Minneapolis history, and the largest December snowfall ever, and Minneapolis has received nearly as much snow in November and December than it did all of last winter. This significant amount of snowfall has left many residential streets severely narrowed, making it challenging for fire trucks and other emergency vehicles to navigate.

Beginning at 8 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 17, drivers parking in Minneapolis must follow these Winter Parking Restrictions, or they could be ticketed and towed:
 
- Do NOT park on the EVEN numbered side of non-Snow-Emergency-routes.

- 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.

- It is possible that Snow Emergencies can be declared while Winter Parking Restrictions are in place.

When it snows, folks should take advantage of the many tools the City offers to find out if a Snow Emergency is declared:

Call the hotline - By calling the automated (612) 348-SNOW hotline, folks can find out if a Snow Emergency has been declared and where to park during Winter Parking Restrictions. The hotline will include information on parking restrictions that drivers need to follow to avoid tickets and tows. The hotline includes information in Spanish, Somali, and Hmong.

Check out the City’s website - Go to www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/snow to find out whether a Snow Emergency has been declared and for a wealth of information on Snow Emergencies in many languages. For Winter Parking Restrictions information visit www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/snow/winter-parking-restrictions.asp

Phone alerts - Minneapolis uses a phone alert system to notify residents when Snow Emergencies are declared and Winter Parking Restrictions are instituted. It is an automated notification system that can place thousands of calls per hour. The system automatically calls listed numbers—to also receive a call to your cell phone, go to www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/snow/phone-alert.asp to sign up.

E-mail alerts - You can sign up to get Snow Emergency alerts automatically e-mailed to you. Go to www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/snow/esubscribe.asp for more details.

The media - News releases are sent to the media so TV, radio stations and other news outlets can inform their viewers, listeners and readers that a Snow Emergency is in effect or Winter Parking Restrictions have been instituted.

On Cable - Tune in to cable channels 14 and 79. 

Facebook – “Like” Minneapolis Snow Emergency on Facebook. Go to www.facebook.com/MinneapolisSnowEmergency.

Twitter - www.twitter.com/minneapolissnow