It appears that adding more angled parking on High Street East could be feasible, city hall says, but that decision will likely be determined next year once a traffic report is completed.
During its Sept. 26 executive committee meeting, city council unanimously approved a recommendation to refer the issue of adding more angled parking stalls on High Street East from First to Third Avenues Northeast to the 2023 transportation master plan.
The recommendation becomes official once council approves it as a motion during a future regular meeting.
The Downtown Moose Jaw Association submitted a letter to council in May asking for support to implement angled parking on that street. Council then authorized city administration to investigate the feasibility of creating angled parking on the 100 and 200 blocks of High Street East.
It was 2012 when the municipality last updated its transportation master plan, explained Bevan Harlton, director of engineering. The plan indicated there was sufficient right-of-way for angled parking on certain blocks, but some roads would have to be narrowed from four lanes to two.
High Street East from Main Street to Third Avenue Northeast operates as a two-lane corridor, so the current master plan indicates angled parking is feasible, he continued. More design is needed to confirm whether angled parking would be on the north side, south side, or both.
“The next steps … would be to complete our 2023 transportation master plan, have the consultant at that time work with us to see what lane realignments may be needed, and then prioritize the work,” Harlton added.
The next regular council meeting is Tuesday, Oct. 11.
