In light of forecasts calling for snow this week in Durango, the city is putting a pilot parking program to the test in an effort to make snow removal more efficient.

Allison Baker, Durango public works director, said the city will restrict street parking on north and west curbsides on even numbered dates and restrict street parking on south and east curbsides on odd numbered dates.

The restrictions are not mandatory, and the city is asking residents to voluntarily park accordingly, she said.

But how residents respond to the new request will provide valuable information to Durango Public Works, which is planning a yearlong test program for street cleaning and maintenance activities with more detailed information to be announced this spring, she said.

The city published a news release Tuesday afternoon requesting residents to restrict curbside parking.

“Residential neighborhoods are requested to restrict curbside parking to help the city’s public works department clear the streets of snow in anticipation of a winter storm that is forecast the evening of Tuesday,” the release says.

Snowplowing is expected to begin Tuesday night and to potentially continue over the course of the week as dictated by weather conditions, the release says.

Baker said more than 2 inches of snow will likely fall Tuesday and Wednesday, meaning city snow routes will be activated. She reminded residents that curbside parking on either side of a snow route-designated street will result in ticketing and towing as needed for the city to maintain safe access around the city.

She said public works is trying to improve its snow removal and street maintenance processes.

“We really want to have focus on clearing ADA ramps quickly, updating our snow routes, and clearing curbside parking,” she said.

Schools and emergency vehicle access are the highest priority work when it comes to snow removal and other street maintenance, she said.

“During the summer we have roadways that need sweeping. And we need to improve the process on that to get curbside as well as the middle of the road,” she said.

Mayor Barbara Noseworthy asked Baker what the expectations are for residents who park overnight in a space that would be considered restricted the next day. Baker said the only “sane” way to treat the scenario is to allow overnight parking with expectations curbside vehicles would be moved in the early morning.

“There wouldn’t be an anticipation that you’d run out at midnight and move the vehicle,” she said.

cburney@durangoherald.com