Snow is on the way! Are you ready?

Preparing for snowstorms is something people get used to when they live in Maine for a while, but the first few winters in the state can be challenging

 

SNOW IS COMING!

Snow is heading toward Maine, and residents all around the state are making preparations. The snow will begin Monday afternoon and is expected to continue all day Tuesday, and possibly into Wednesday in certain areas of the state, such as Lewiston/Auburn. The snow will be accompanied by strong winds at least some of the time. Some parts of the state could also see sleet, which is defined as ice pellets, often mixed with rain or snow.

DRIVING AND PARKING

The snow, sleet, and wind will make the roads dangerous for driving. People are encouraged to stay off the roads. If people must drive to get to work, or in an emergency, they should use extreme caution, and drive very slowly (see WINTER DRIVING TIPS below). Employees who usually get to work by driving are encouraged to contact their employer and ask for permission to stay home because of safety concerns.

Portland has issued a parking ban for Monday and Tuesday nights. Cars parked on the street between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. will be towed, with the owner of the car charged for the towing. Parking on the street Tuesday during the day is allowed. Portland has also closed City Hall and has cancelled recycling and garbage pick up.

The City offers numerous free options for parking on the peninsula during a snow ban. These lots are available after 5:00 PM on weekdays on the day a ban is called unless otherwise posted. All vehicle owners must remove their vehicles from these designated areas listed below by 7:00 a.m. the morning the ban is removed.

Free lots in Portland for use during a parking ban:

• Deering Oaks – on the Tennis Court Road only – only on the left side of the road. No parking on the right side.

• Fitzpatrick Stadium parking lot – this is the lot behind the Ice Arena. Do not park adjacent to the Ice Arena.

• Hadlock Field parking lot

• All Portland Public School parking lots except the Reiche School lots that abut the school and playgrounds/soccer field and pool on Clark St AND Brackett Street. *Must be out by 6:30 AM.

• Cutter St. lots (off the Eastern Prom)

• Beach St. lot accessible from Commercial St. after 8 PM.

• City lot at the corner of Park and Commercial Streets across the street from the IMT (International Marine Terminal) AKA Angelo’s Acre, 441 Commercial St.

• On Peaks Island, snow ban parking is available at the Welch St. parking lot

• Western Prom – The entire waterside of the Western Prom

• Eastern Prom – Turner to East End School property light pole 33 (waterside)

• Marginal Way – Plowman to just before the entrance area to the East End Wastewater treatment Plant (waterside) ** Please do not park on Marginal Way if there is flooding or standing water. **Parking is not allowed in the Maine DOT park and ride lot.

• Preble Street Extension Parking Lot (Across from Hannaford) – adhere to the spaces that are designated for snow ban parking.

• State Street Extension – Parking is available on State St Ext between Forest Ave &  Park Ave across from the entrance to Deering Oaks Park. Left side of the road only where parking is typically available. Adhere to any no parking signs closest to Forest Ave.

Lewiston has also issued a winter parking ban that will be in effect from 7:00  p.m. Monday until 7:00 a.m. Wednesday. The ban will end earlier than Wednesday if clean-up is finished earlier than expected. Vehicle owners parking on any Lewiston street when a ban is declared will receive a $30 fine and be towed at the owner’s expense.

Parking pre-planning is encouraged for winter storms. A municipal lot and some parking garages are available for use from 6:00 p.m. during parking bans, and some of the time parking may be free in these locations.

Si vous utilisez un garage à Lewiston pendant une interdiction de stationnement en hiver, veuillez noter que le stationnement sera gratuit pendant la semaine de 18h à 6h et pendant les week-ends de 18h le vendredi à 6h le lundi.

• Tarif horaire: 1$ par heure (maximum de 6$ par jour)/
• Taxa horária: $1 por hora (máximo de $6 por dia)

Se você usar um estacionamento Lewiston durante uma proibição de estacionamento no inverno, observe que o estacionamento será gratuito nos dias úteis das 18h às 6h e nos fins de semana das 18h às 6h de segunda-feira. 

Emplacement des garages de stationnement et des terrains municipaux/ Alternativas de estacionamento durante proibições de estacionamento no inverno

Canal Street Garage – 62 Canal Street

Chestnut Street Garage- 29 Chestnut Street

Lincoln Street Garage – 16 Lincoln Street

Oak Street Garage – 1 Oak Street

Southern Gateway Garage – 425 Lisbon Street

Terrain municipal – Coin des rues Cedar et Lincoln – même temps libre que les garages de stationnement/Municipal Lot – esquina das ruas Cedar e Lincoln – mesmo tempo livre para estacionamentos

 

WINTER DRIVING TIPS

• Avoid any sudden actions while steering, braking, or accelerating so you don’t lose control.

• Take it slow in ice and snow!

  • Stopping on snow or ice without skidding requires extra time and distance. Drive slowly – below posted speed limits – so you can adjust to the conditions. This is especially true at intersections, off ramps, bridges and shady areas where black ice (a transparent coating of ice) can form without being noticed.

• Don’t turn your four-wheel drive into an “off-road” vehicle!

  • Four-wheel drive may help you get going faster but it doesn’t help you stop sooner or maintain control better once you lose traction. Take it slow!

• Allow extra room between vehicles. 

  • Longer stopping distances and extra time are required during winter conditions to avoid chain reaction crashes.

• Don’t take chances when pulling out in front of approaching vehicles.

  • When the pavement is wet, you may not be able to slow down, and others may not be able to accelerate as quickly as on dry pavement.

• Avoid using cruise control.

  • You need to be in full control when road conditions are wet or icy. Don’t let your cruise control make a bad decision for you.

• Brake early, brake slowly, brake correctly and never slam on the brakes.

  • If you have anti-lock brakes, press the pedal down firmly and hold it. If you don’t have anti-lock brakes, gently pump the pedal.

• Stay alert!

  • Beware of what’s going on well ahead of you. Other vehicles can alert you to problem spots on the road which may give you the split second you need to avoid a crash. Needless to say, you can’t be alert if you’re on the phone so don’t let yourself get distracted.

SIDEWALK SNOW REMOVAL REGULATIONS

• Most cities require business owners to remove snow and ice from sidewalks abutting (touching)  their property  following a winter storm. Residential owners must also clear snow and ice following the end of a storm. This is to prevent pedestrians from falling.