May 1, 2008
Alternate-side parking rules to be enforced
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City officials will begin enforcing alternate-side-of-the-street parking rules again, issuing tickets at first and eventually towing vehicles that are parked in violation of the regulations.
Alternate-side-of-the-street parking rules are designed to make it easier for city public works trucks to sweep roads of debris, especially important in the early spring because of the sand that has accumulated during the winter. It also makes it easier to complete many street maintenance projects.
The city is divided into three sections for the program, and each section is affected for one-third of a month. During that period, from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. on residential streets, drivers are to park on even sides of the street on even days — based on building addresses — and on odd sides of the street on odd days.
On main roads, the rules are in effect from midnight to 7 a.m. during the same times of the month. The restrictions are different on main streets so as not to hamper commercial activities.
Signs are posted on most street and explain the rules. Alternate-side-of-the-street parking restrictions will be in effect through Nov. 15.
Mayor Bill Finch recently announced the new enforcement policy. “We’re getting back to basics, and keeping the city clean is one of them,” he said.
Finch said cars will not be towed at first to allow for a transition period. The rules, detailed in a city ordinance, generally have not been strictly enforced in the past.
Having vehicles parked on both sides of the street can make it difficult for street-sweeping trucks to maneuver, said John Cottell, acting deputy public facilities director.
“We send them out but they can’t do the job they’re designated to do because they have to go back and forth to avoid parked cars,” Cottell said.
That leads to residents complaining a street hasn’t been swept or was swept poorly, he said.
The city plans to have eight of its 10 sweepers in use at most times, he said, with the others sidelined due to maintenance and staffing limitations.
“We’re trying to increase our presence,” Cottell said.
All material swept up is taken to a Seaside Park process facility to be separated and either recycled or incinerated with the trash.
“A lot of it gets re-used,” said Cottell, referring to soil, leaves and other natural debris picked up by sweeper trucks.
City divided in three
In general under the rules, the city is divided in half horizontally by the Pequonnock River and Route 8 and 25 connector, and the western side is divided in half vertically by North Avenue.
Bridgeport Harbor and the Pequonnock River separate the southern part of the city, and are crossed by bridges on I-95, Stratford Avenue, Congress Street (closed), East Washington Avenue and Grand Street.
The three sections are:
Red Section: The area north of North Avenue to the Trumbull border, and west of the Route 8 and 25 connector and Seltsam Road to the Fairfield town line. This includes the North End and eastern North End, and will be swept from the 1st to the 10th of each month.
Blue Section: The area south of North Avenue (not including North Avenue) to Long Island Sound, and west of the Pequonnock River to the Fairfield border. This includes Black Rock, Brooklawn, the West End, West Side, South End, downtown and the Hollow, and will be swept from the 11th to the 20th of each month.
Green Section: The area east of the Pequonnock River and Beardsley Park, from Trumbull to Long Island Sound. This includes the East Side, upper East Side and East End, and will be swept from the 21st to the last day of each month.
© Copyright 2008 by Hersam Acorn Newspapers
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