The Bellefontaine Police Department is reminding drivers of large or oversized vehicles that angle parking on Main Street and Columbus Avenue downtown is restricted, and that semi-truck traffic is prohibited in the area except for deliveries or when using the designated bypass.
Police say vehicles parked on Main Street between Watson Way and Auburn Avenue, and on Columbus Avenue between Main Street and Elm Street, must fit entirely within a single marked parking space.
Vehicles may not extend into traffic lanes, take up more than one space, or park with tires on the curb or sidewalk.
Examples of violations include large trucks pulling a tire onto the curb or sidewalk to avoid sticking out into traffic, or oversized vehicles that extend beyond the painted markings of the parking space.
Police Chief Chris Marlow says right now it’s about safety and keeping downtown traffic moving smoothly:
Drivers of large vehicles are encouraged to avoid angled parking spaces downtown and instead use non-angle parking areas and city municipal parking lots.
The reminder is based on City Ordinance 351.05 – Manner of Angle Parking, which states:
- Vehicles must park at the angle indicated by signs or markings.
- On Main Street from Watson Way to Auburn Avenue, and Columbus Avenue from Main Street to Elm Street, vehicles may not occupy more than one space or protrude beyond the markings.
- No vehicle may park over any curb or on any portion of a sidewalk.
Marlow said that some GPS navigation systems are currently advising truck drivers to use Columbus Avenue as a route through downtown.
This is out of route for semi trucks and has created problems as trucks attempt to turn back onto Main Street, especially since the intersection is not large enough for the extended vehicles.
Semi-trucks should only enter downtown for deliveries.
