Colfax Main Street parking lane draws concern

Colfax city council members Aug. 20 voiced concerns about the width of a parking space along the northbound lanes of Highway 195 north of the Thorn Street intersection. Vehicles parked along the curb in that area are allowed little space between traffic in the northbound lanes.

Councilman Jim Kackman said he believes the city missed an opportunity to reduce the hazard by not requesting a two-foot cutback in the sidewalk width to provide more space for the parking lane on that part of Main Street.

“I’m amazed nobody has been hit,” Kackman said.

Police Chief Rick McNannay noted the lane next to the parking lane legally should only be used by vehicles who pull out from Thorn Street and head northbound. The lane south of Thorn Street is designated for “right turns only,” but many motorists do not heed that restriction and continue north.

Council members Monday also questioned whether the temporary markings for the center of the highway were correct. If the line is off center toward the east the width problem for the curbside lane worsens, they noted.