NORTHAMPTON, Mass. (WGGB/WSHM) -- Communities downtown Northampton are struggling to figure out exactly where to put all the snow. The answer right now is in the middle of the road.

Western Mass News is getting answers on how drivers and pedestrians are feeling about the relocation of the snow.

Northampton residents are used to dealing with traffic and parking struggles in the downtown area regardless of time of year.

Now, there’s an added obstacle and it’s 10 feet tall.

“You know, they could do something different,” Northampton resident Andrew Bombard tells us.

Snow removal for this weekend’s massive storm has been a mountain sized issue, especially in Northampton where the downtown area gives the DPW limited options to relocate all that snow.

Northampton residents haven’t seen a storm like this in decades.

We spoke to resident Michael Burns, who explains, “No, I don’t remember this, uh, since I was, like, seven years old.”

What they really don’t remember is the city using the median between the lanes as the spot to keep that snow.

Their options are certainly limited with the long-connected businesses and parking spots, but residents claim it does give a taste of potential traffic troubles when the Main Street redesign project breaks ground.

“This depicts it. This is how, you know, the restriction it’ll be. Cars will be restricted to one lane,” Bombard continues.

That 30-million-dollar reconstruction project is set to begin this year and will reduce travel lanes and parking spots near businesses downtown by adding bike lanes and widening sidewalks.

Some residents like Andrew Bombard are less than satisfied with the incoming changes and with the snow removal, others like Michael Burns say that, “the city’s gotta do what the city’s gotta do...Everybody’s prepared.”

So now that the on-street parking bans have been lifted and the state of emergency is over, make sure to take your time on those turns, whether you’re behind the wheel or traveling on foot.

Western Mass News reached out to Northampton DPW several times for comment, but they have not yet provided one for us.

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