Susan McDaniel Havre Daily News smcdaniel@havredailynews.com
Opportunity to speak out about the parking situation on Fifth Avenue is limited. The resolution to restrict parking will be the main topic at tonight’s city council meeting at 7. Because the Department of Transportation requires an answer to their request for a resolution from the city by April 10, the Havre City Council will be holding only one public comment period prior to making their decision. The comment period will be held at the beginning of the council meeting. The council had previously announced they would hold public comment on the parking situation for two consecutive meetings. A survey conducted by the DOT indicated that there had been a number of traffic accidents on Fifth Avenue and the greatest concern was accidents caused by rear-end collisions on left hand turns. In order to alleviate the problem and to assist with snow removal along the street, the DOT has recommended adding turning lanes and eliminating any parking on Fifth Avenue, except on those areas of the street where the street is wide enough to accommodate both. In a letter to the City Council, the state requested that a resolution be passed to allow parking on Fifth Avenue north of Second Street, between Fourth Street and Fifth Street and south of 11th Street only. This is because the other areas of Fifth Street are not wide enough for parking and a center turn lane.
