Changes Officially Coming To Downtown Sections Of 1st Avenue NW
By Robert Thomas
For those of you who have noticed the City of Moose Jaw is about to officially convert a large section of the northbound lane - east side - of 1st Avenue NW from Manitoba Street W to Oxford Street W into a paid parking area.
A change approved by Council on their 2023 budget deliberations.
As part of those deliberations Council decided not to install new parking meters - due to their cost - but rather decided upon a pilot program where paid parking would be available to those using the parking app or pay on-line by scanning a QR code through your smartphone.
The changes will go into effect Monday September 18, 2023.
The signage officially announcing major changes to the northbound lane of 1st Avenue NW from Manitoba Street W to Oxford Street W - MJ Independent photo
In a press release the City of Moose Jaw stated each block will have its own, dedicated parking zone number, and drivers can either download and use the City's HotSpot app to pay for parking, or scan the QR code and pay online without the app.
No meters will be installed, but parking lines have been painted to ensure drivers park legally in a stall.
As part of the initiative a portion of the northbound lane on 1st Avenue NW - adjacent to Conexus Credit Union - will be available for paid parking through the parking app - MJ Independent photo
The City reminds drivers that 1st Avenue NW has been a single lane of traffic north and south for a number of years with a shared turning lane in the center.
The move to allow parking on the northbound - east side - of the street makes the single lane northbound official.
Additionally, at the intersections of Caribou Street W, Athabasca Street W, Fairford Street W, and High Street West a designated right turn lane will once again be available for use as part of the changes.
New overhead signage being installed on the signalized light poles to indicate the change.
Crews have begun installing the new parking stalls and traffic signage, and the new stalls become available for payment in the Hotspot Parking app Monday, September 18, 2023.
The City is asking drivers to exercise caution and slow down in work zones for the safety of everyone while the changes are installed.
