Media Center |
You are in:
Transportation >
Transportation Today
> News |
|||
Preparation the key to dealing with snow and ice
The King County Department of Transportation prides itself on being prepared for all kinds of weather – and snow and ice is among the most challenging for both Metro Transit and the King County Road Services Division.
Here are some tips for bus riders during bad weather:
For the county’s Roads Division, crews begin preparing for winter well before the bad weather hits. Snow and ice removal equipment is positioned at ten maintenance offices throughout the county. The county’s inventory of equipment includes 32 truck-mounted snowplows/sanders, four de-icer/sanders, and 11 graders. Training days are held at each of those maintenance offices in late September and early October, so staff is ready to go when cold weather hits.
During this past weekend, crews were busy dealing with ice on roads
in the unincorporated areas. They started around 10 p.m. Sunday in the
Fall City area, and then brought more sanding/de-icing trucks in
countywide at 3 a.m. Monday to prepare for the morning commute. When snowfall is significant, all road crews will be placed on split shifts to provide around-the-clock coverage. The overall goal is to provide the safest possible driving conditions for the public. Primary snow removal routes include: major arterial roads; Metro Transit and school bus routes; emergency routes such as hospital access roads; and access roads to freeways and park-and-ride lots. As the county works hard to keep roads clear of snow and ice, motorists should familiarize themselves with these basic winter driving tips:
Residents are also encouraged to report problems on roads in unincorporated King County by calling (206) 296-8100, or 1-800-KC ROADS if they live outside the greater Seattle calling area. |
|
Subscribe to
DOT
Dash Sign-up to receive an e-mail text version of "Transportation Today," along with other significant DOT news by sending an e-mail to us. |
King County Department of
Transportation See How to contact us Updated: March 07, 2007 |
DOT Home |
King County | News | Services | Comments | Search |
Links to external sites do
not constitute endorsements by King County. By visiting this and other King County Web pages, you expressly agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of this site. The details. |