The Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo will be reviewing the rules for on street parking because of concerns that have been voiced about congestion and safety. During the council meeting last Tuesday Coun. Keith McGrath moved a motion for this review. The municipality will review the parking standards, bylaws, and policies so that a plan can be developed which will address any concerns about traffic and pedestrians. McGrath explained at the meeting that “Over the years, it seems that our safety issues have grown. You can’t see kids coming across the sidewalks … I’m just glad I’m not a kid, because I know what’s going to happen.” A number of council members also identified concerns with the current on street parking in many areas. Concerns cited included visibility issues, and traffic that is limited to a single lane.

Council member Meagher was also concerned about on street parking in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo. Meagher stated “If Fort McMurray was a living being, we would probably have triple-bypasses in every community There’s streets where you go down and if you have a truck, you just hope that you’re not scratching vehicles on either side … to me it’s like having a blocked artery.” Some of the proposed improvements suggested by McGrath include parking limitations so that vehicles are only on one side of the street, and establishing setbacks at certain locations including crosswalks, residential corners, and intersections so that visibility is increased. Mayor Melissa Blake said “In the neighbourhoods themselves, this is where people are impacted. I know it’s not going to be a fun topic, I know it’s going to cause concerns for people that just don’t have the ability to meet their parking requirements within their own property, but we really need to give consideration to all these elements.”