City to make parking permanent on one side of Ward Street as sidewalk project narrows roadway

The Traffic Authority on Sept. 15 approved a permanent no-parking restriction on the northeast side of Ward Street to accommodate a new sidewalk and avoid narrowing the roadway to the point where two parking lanes would be unsafe.

TMP staff explained the sidewalk project along Ward Street and Adams Avenue will narrow the roadway in places to as little as 18 feet, leaving a single travel lane for a one-way approach. Staff said pre-construction overnight parking counts found minimal use of the side slated for restriction — typically one vehicle — and that restricting parking on one side will maintain a safe single travel lane while preserving parking on the opposite side.

Staff said the sidewalk project was presented at a public meeting in December 2024 and that the no-parking mitigation was one of the proposed outcomes. Commissioners asked that TMP make the permanency clear and to provide straightforward outreach in lay terms explaining why the curb will be restricted and how much roadway remains for travel.

TMP said permanent signs will be posted and the roadway will be striped to indicate the parking lane; the department will provide resident notification ahead of installation.