North Adams Reviewing Diagonal Parking Downtown
In a communication to the council, Mayor Richard Alcombright included a design and analysis by Tighe & Bond engineers that looks at transforming the current parallel parking on the north side of Main Street.
"The idea is intended to do two things: First, it will approximately add 10 spaces on the north side of Main Street from the Mohawk Theater to a point just east of the former Petrino's," writes the mayor. "Second, diagonal parking will utilize the most inward line of the three lanes which will help to slow traffic."
A switch to diagonal parking has been raised off and on over the years both here and in Pittsfield. Both Greenfield and Northampton have diagonal parking.
Tighe & Bond looked at both 45 degree and 60 degree parking, finding that spaces at 45-degree angles intruded less into the roadway. The total number of spaces would be 32, including three handicapped-parking spots.
Alcombright said there were pros and cons to changing the parking and requested the issue be referred to the Public Safety Committee. Nothing would be done before May, which would allow the Department of Public Works to also review and issues.
North Adams Diagonal Parking Plan
Tags: downtown, parking, streets,