News

City readies for snowstorms

Madison's alternate-side parking rule for the winter months went into effect Wednesday to keep the streets clear and prepared for a snowstorm.

The rule requires that on even-numbered days between the hours of 1 a.m. and 7 a.m. people park their cars on the side of the street with even-numbered houses.

Correspondingly, on the alternate days people are required to park their cars on the odd-numbered side of the street. The parking rules will stay in effect from Nov. 15 through March 15.

George Dreckmann, spokesperson for Madison's Streets Division, said outside the downtown area, the alternate-side parking rules apply every night regardless of weather conditions. In the downtown area, however, he said the alternate-parking rules apply only when a snow emergency is declared.

According to Dreckmann, the main purpose of the parking rules is to facilitate plowing and snow removal, but the regulations also have an added benefit.

"In the process we come across a lot of abandoned vehicles and people storing their cars on the street, so this helps us get those removed and open up more parking spaces," Dreckmann said.

He added that although the alternate-parking rules make snow removal easier, operating plows can still be difficult when storms hit near rush hour, as the heavy stream of traffic hampers the process. Dreckmann advised people to think carefully before taking to the road under such circumstances.

He also noted that oftentimes University of Wisconsin students use their vehicles out of convenience rather than necessity, and that during and immediately after snowstorms they should walk or utilize public transportation whenever possible.

"A message I would send to students is to seriously think about whether you need that car, because there is a humongous shortage of parking downtown," Dreckmann said. "A lot of times, people end up parking on a mountain of ice by the end of the winter because we can't get in and plow the sides of the streets."

But motorists parking on streets that fall within the UW campus area this winter will be spared the hassle of complying with the alternate parking rules. According to John Herrod, director of the UW Physical Plant, UW has its own plan of action when it comes to dealing with nature's winter fury.

Although Madison's parking rules do not apply to campus streets, Herrod said UW does not currently have a set of alternate parking rules in place for the campus area.

But that does not mean UW is unprepared for this winter's inevitable snowfall. Herrod said that as far back as a month ago UW Physical Plant staff began to prepare for winter snow removal.

"Most of the plows are attached to the trucks and tractors, and the rest are set to be attached quickly," Herrod said. "The key with this sort of thing is to have everything staged so when the snow does hit, we are prepared to respond."