Pierce County is preparing now for snow and ice on county roads.
Road crews will set up and calibrate snow-fighting equipment and travel their snow plow routes on Oct. 31. Over the rest of the week, they will review snow and ice response plans, practice operating equipment and brush up on chainsaw techniques.
“Our road crews will be ready to respond to snow and ice on Pierce County roads this winter,” said Bruce Wagner, Pierce County Planning and Public Works maintenance and operations manager. “Residents can prepare by making sure their car is in good working condition and putting together an emergency kit for their car that includes blankets, a flashlight, warm clothes and non-perishable food.”
Residents can find suggestions for creating an emergency kit for vehicles at www.piercecountywa.org/winterwise.
About Pierce County’s snow and ice response
Pierce County maintains approximately 3,260 lane miles of roadway in unincorporated Pierce County. Approximately 1,640 lane miles are identified as key arterials that connect residential areas to service centers and state highways. The level of service these roads receive during winter weather is determined by several factors, including weather conditions, the classification of the roadway, and available resources.
“Our priorities during a snow and ice event are key arterials, as well as Pierce Transit and school bus snow routes,” Wagner said. “If you can get out of your neighborhood and reach a major road during a snow and ice event, you will likely find a drivable road.”
When a severe winter storm is forecast, Pierce County’s plan calls for crews to apply anti-icing products to key arterials. If heavy snowfall affects roads countywide, plow trucks with de-icing materials are deployed 24-hours a day when all resources are available until conditions improve.
The public can reach the Pierce County Planning and Public Works Maintenance and Operations Division 24-hours a day at 253-798-6000 with requests for service. They can also fill out a Request for Action form at www.piercecountywa.org/rfa.
Visit www.piercecountywa.org/winterwise to learn more about Pierce County’s response to winter weather.
Media Advisory: Media invited to Oct. 31 snow and ice presentation and tour
Media outlets are invited to a presentation about Pierce County’s snow and ice response at 9 a.m. Oct. 31 at the Pierce County Central Maintenance Facility, 4812 196th St. E in Spanaway.
After the presentation, the media will be taken on a tour to the different equipment stations to get footage of crews hooking up snow plows, testing the application rates of anti-icing products, and practicing plowing using wood chips.
Please RSVP by 3 p.m. Oct. 30 to Anne Radford, Planning and Public Works public information specialist, at 253-798-2464 or anne.radford@piercecountywa.gov. On Oct. 31, media outlets may call the Maintenance and Operation Division at 253-798-6000 for assistance.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Anne Radford, Planning and Public Works public information specialist
253-798-2464
anne.radford@piercecountywa.gov
