The city of Durango will test a new parking plan that will prohibit parking on street sides on alternating days.

The plan, which a city news release says is intended to make snow plowing and street-sweeping efforts easier, will be implemented in phases. It will first apply to seven blocks near downtown between East Second and East Third avenues.

Specifically, the plan will be implemented on Fifth Street, as well as Seventh Street through 12th Street, all between East Second and East Third avenues, according to a city map of the test areas for the plan.

Starting Dec. 4, the city’s Streets Division will enforce the alternate side parking plan, which will be implemented year-round.

Signage was installed on the relevant streets on Thursday. Tow-away signs are scheduled to be installed on Nov. 27.

Side parking restrictions for the listed streets will be enforced on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays for one street side and Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays for the opposite side.

Durango Public Works director Allison Baker said in the release the city tested another version of the plan last winter during significant snowfall and it was a success.

She said consistent curb-to-curb street-sweeping will “help protect the Animas River from excess sedimentation.”

“This schedule made it easier to clear roads, provide access for vehicles, and helped ensure good flow of melting snow and ice into the city’s storm drainage system,” she said.

The release says parking is always prohibited in Durango’s Central Business District between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m., and parking is restricted on roads designated as snow routes whenever there’s at least 2 inches of snow on the ground to ensure police, fire and EMS services.

cburney@durangoherald.com