Calgary snow route parking ban in effect

UPDATE: This story was updated on June 8, 2016, to remove one man's name and quotation for personal safety reasons.

A parking ban on many Calgary streets began at 9 a.m. MT Wednesday to allowplows to clear thesnow.

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Those who parkon a designated route may be tagged and towed. There is also a$40 fine, which increases as time passes.

Car 2 Go, acar sharing initiative,is warning customers that if one of itscarsis parked alongone of the routes it isthe driver whois responsible for the ticket and tow.

"This is our third year of implementing snow route parking bans.We've only actually called five bans in total," said Julie Yepishina-Gellerwith the city's transportation department.

"But every year we have seenan increase in compliance and anincrease in efficiency in terms of snowplowing."

Under the policy, parking is restricted on designated routesfor 72 hoursor until the city announces the ban hasbeen lifted.

Snow routes include major roadways, collector roads and most bus routes, and are marked by blue signs with a white snowflake icon.

Calgarians can check the city`s website to find out if their street has been designated a snow route.

Roads in Calgary residential areas in particular are troublesome, as many have not seen a plow come through since the storm hit Monday,saidJessica Bell ofCalgary`s transportation department.

For those who need to travel, Calgary police suggestedusing major thoroughfares only.

Like many parts of the city, people in Saddleridgewerehit hard by the blizzard. Many residents had to dig out their vehicles after strong winds created massive snow drifts.

Resident Eric Georgesaysthe community gets alotof blowing snow from open fieldsnext to them..

"I've lived in Calgary now for 18 years, and this is one of the worst snow conditions I've seen in the city so far," he said.