The Roads Maintenance Division of Public Works is mobilized to respond to wintry conditions on a 24/7 basis when needed. Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about our snow and ice removal operations.

 When do you plow? We begin plowing when two or more inches of snow accumulates on the roads. If road conditions require continual clearing, we begin a 24-hour operation.

 Which roads are cleared first? County arterials providing access to state highways and critical facilities such as hospitals and fire stations are cleared first. “Collectors” such as Kaiser, Libby, Kirsop and Meridian roads, are the next to be cleared. After collectors have been cleared, we move on to residential routes.

 Do you ever close roads? Yes, certain locations (such as Michigan Hill Road) are subject to closure during hazardous conditions.

Do you apply anything to the roads before a snow or ice storm? Yes. Roads Maintenance applies an anti-icing material made of salt brine that prevents the buildup of ice and snow on road surfaces. The anti-icing liquid is used on hills, curves and intersections on high volume roads such as Old Highway 99, Littlerock Road, Martin Way and Yelm Highway. Sanding and snowplows will be used in other locations. The anti-icing material contains fewer chemicals than de-icers, resulting in less impact on the environment and less vehicle corrosion. Use of anti-icers also reduces the amount of sand applied to roads.

Is it okay to clear snow off my driveway into the road? No! It’s illegal to push snow from private property into the county roadways or shoulders.

What about berms that the snowplow leaves in front of my driveway? With more than 2,000 shoulder miles of county road to clear, we do not have the time or staff to remove berms of snow that may be left along private drives. Although our snow plow operators do everything possible to minimize impacts to private driveways, berms, unfortunately, are an inevitable byproduct of snow and ice removal.

Can I hire a private contractor to remove the snow on the county road in front of my house? No. However we encourage residents to help prevent flooding in their neighborhoods by carefully clearing drains and ditches of clogging debris.
 
What resources does the county have for snow and ice removal? Roads Maintenance has 10 snowplows, six sanders, and four anti-icing trucks on duty. We extend shifts to provide 24-hour coverage when necessary.

How can I report a hazardous road? Call the Roads Maintenance office at 786-5495.

We can not respond to calls for clearing of specific roads.