Nov 30

It’s a Calgary “snow event” - Where do I park Downtown?

In September 2011, the City of Calgary approved a “snow event” parking ban (standard 72 hours) on major roadways to allow for quicker and more effective snow removal for priority 1 and 2 routes.

You may be wondering what constitutes a snow event? A snow event is a snowfall of five (5) or more centimetres that requires a street to be cleared of snow or ice. Snow events are declared by the Roads Traffic Engineer.

But what does that mean for the downtown?

All the Avenues in the downtown core are considered priority 1 for snow removal and 72 hours of no short term street parking was not conducive to businesses and as such was given a special exemption. This exemption for the downtown commercial core (9 Avenue north to the Bow River; 9 Street S.W. to Macleod Trail) has the parking ban in effect from 9pm to 6am. During this time the Snow Route parking bans will be only on east-west avenues. North-south streets will continue to be available for overnight parking during snow events, as long as it is in compliance with existing parking controls.

To ensure access to all the great restaurants, theatre and entertainment in the evening during the “snow events” the CPA is offering complimentary overnight use of their parkades and surface lots. The complimentary use period is in effect from 9:00 pm until 6:00 am the next morning when snow route parking bans are in effect.

Ways you can get notified if there is a snow event and the status:

E-mail notification available on Calgary.ca

Citizens can quickly and easily subscribe to e-mail alerts on Calgary.ca/snow.
E-mails will be sent to inform citizens whenever a Snow Route parking ban is expected, in effect, lifted or extended.

Smart phone app – with Snow Route parking ban “push” notifications

The City of Calgary Road Conditions app will be launched in early December and is designed to help Calgarians plan their commute during winter storms. Real-time information will be provided on plow/sander locations, road conditions and traffic cameras.
This app has the added feature of notifying citizens anytime a Snow Route parking ban has been advised, declared or lifted.
iPhone app - Blackberry app - Android app

Development of an interactive Snow Route map on Calgary.ca

There is now an interactive Snow Route map on Calgary.ca that allows citizens to find Snow Route locations in their community.
There is also a listing of Snow Route locations available on Calgary.ca/snow.

If that is not enough of an enticement to come downtown when it’s snowing, there is also 3 hour free underground heated parking at the CORE, TD Square/Holt Renfrew ($2.00 after the 3 hours) and reduced evening and weekend rates at various lots from as low as $2.00 (flat rate) after 4pm.