New Bedford snow emergency parking ban lifted

The citywide snow emergency parking ban is lifted as of 5 p.m. today, Jan. 7.

City officials implemented the parking ban at 10 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 6, as the National Weather Service issued a Winter Storm Warning for the region, including New Bedford.

City offices and public schools were closed Friday, ahead of the storm which dropped several inches of snow on the city and region. The storm’s morning arrival affected the Friday morning commute and made travel difficult on slick roads.

The Winter Storm Warning ended at 4 p.m. Friday, as skies cleared. Saturday’s forecast is sunny and cold. With the ban lifted, residents are asked to please remove their vehicles from municipal and school parking lots, to ensure these lots can be cleared.

The parking ban is designed to allow City workers to efficiently remove snow from New Bedford roadways, and enable public safety vehicles and residents to travel safely.

To further increase public safety during storm events, some areas are designated for a double-sided parking ban. Streets with parking prohibited on both sides are selected because they are major routes for ambulances, school buses, and SRTA buses, or have a history of large vehicles being unable to successfully navigate due to street narrowness.