So, they’re threatening to use their emergency powers and tow cars tonight. Here’s the update from Streets Superintendent Al Schumacher and the Notice of the Snow Emergency. (SEZ = Snow Emergency Zone, i.e. the areas where you only have to alternate side park when they declare a Snow Emergency)
We are expecting snow to continue until about 4:00 pm this afternoon. Snow will be heavy at times with continued blowing and drifting in the outlying areas. A total of around 8″ is expected.
We will be concentrating on keeping the main arterials open throughout the day but will have some additional units plowing some of the problematic residential areas that are drifting, have serious hills or curves, etc. We will be utilizing over 70 pieces of equipment during the day. We will commence the plowing of all residential streets at around 3:00 pm this afternoon with the assistance of our hired contractors. At that time, we will have between 150 and 160 pieces of equipment on the road plowing.
I will be declaring a Snow Emergency for the next two nights. People in the Snow Emergency Zone must abide by the alternate parking ordinance. If we don’t get compliance, there will be street narrowings just like in December.
To the alders in the SEZ; please assist in getting the word out to your constiuents in any way you can.
I am planning on having Parking Enforcement tow vehicles in areas of the City where people are not abiding by the alternate side parking restrictions and where emergency vehicles and our plows are unable to get through. For the most part, this will be in the SEZ area.
Any comments, contact me.
Here’s the email from the listserve you can sign up for:
The City of Madison has declared a snow emergency.
That means that alternate side parking restrictions will be in effect throughout the entire City of Madison including the downtown/isthmus snow emergency zone.
Madison residents are asked to remove all vehicles from the street if possible.
Residents who must park on the street this evening should park on the ODD house numbered side of the street. Vehicles parked on the street Thursday evening February 7th should be parked on the EVEN house numbered side of the street.
Violations of the alternate side parking rules are punishable by a fine of $20 outside the Snow Emergency Zone and $30 inside.
The Snow Emergency will remain in effect until at least 7 a.m. on Friday February 8th.
Parking is available in the cashiered sections of city-owned ramps in the downtown area. During a declared Snow Emergency you can park for no charge at the City ramps from 9 p.m. until 7 a.m. If you enter before 9 p.m. or leave after 7 a.m. you are liable for any parking charges before 1 a.m. and from 7 a.m. until the time you leave. When parking in the ramps overnight, do not park on the top level so this area can be plowed. Be aware that vehicles stored in city ramps longer than 48 hours are subject to being ticketed and towed. Meters in lots and ramps are enforced 24 hours per day, 7 days a week.
NEW, Parking is also available at three central city parks. Residents can park in the lots at Burr Jones Park 1820 E. Washington Av, the boat landing lot of Tenney Park, 1615 Sherman AV (located along the east side of the Yahara River), and beach parking lot at Olbrich Park 3527 Atwood Av.
Madison residents can get complete snow emergency information at www.cityofmadison.com/streets or by calling 261-9111.
And if you’re a facebook user, you can sign up for Madison Snow Emergency News to get notifications.
