News from King County Department of Transportation
Release date:  Jan. 9, 2007 - 3 p.m.

King County Transportation gears up for next winter blast

With another round of wind, snow and cold barreling down on King County, the Department of Transportation is gearing up for a variety of weather-related problems this afternoon. As road crews scramble to fill their trucks with sand and anti-icing material, Metro Transit is readying plans to chain its entire fleet in anticipation of the storm.

With up to four inches of snow predicted in King County during the early morning hours, the decision has been made to place all road crews on 24-hour operations. That means more than 240 workers will be divided into two 12-hour shifts beginning at midnight tonight. Their objective will be to keep up with the storm and remove as much snow from roadways as possible. Given the forecast of sub-freezing temperatures for the next several days, this major snow removal operation is intended to significantly limit the amount of ice that forms on roadways after the snow has fallen. If temperatures are cold enough, anti-icing operations will begin as early as this evening. The Road Services Division will also look at redeploying road crews around the county in an effort to deal with areas that may be particularly hard hit by the storm.

In addition to snow and ice response, road crews will also be on the lookout for wind-related problems, such as downed trees and blowing debris. Given saturated soil, trees may be easily uprooted by the wind.

In all, the Road Services Division will be deploying more than 50 pieces of snow removal equipment as it responds to the impacts of this next storm.

Metro Transit is preparing for the forecasted storm in several ways. As soon as its buses are done with Tuesday evening’s commute and late-night runs, Vehicle Maintenance crews will begin chaining up the entire fleet. If the snow is not widespread by early Wednesday morning, then the chains will be removed.

Many Metro staff will be reporting for duty Wednesday as early as 1 a.m., particularly in the Service Communications, Rider Information, and Operations units to plan ahead for what could be a very difficult morning commute. Trolley crews will be out in the field overnight and into the morning working to prevent the overhead wires from icing up. Plus, transit facility crews will be sanding and plowing bus bases, park-and-ride lots, and major transit centers. Weather conditions may vary across Metro’s service area, so bus passengers should be prepared for service delays and disruptions.

Here are a few reminders from the King County Department of Transportation on how to prepare for snow and ice storms:

For bus passengers:

• Keep timetables handy for quick reference to adverse-weather routing when you hear Metro Transit is modifying service because of snow or ice;
• If you do not normally ride the bus, check timetables ahead of time for routes serving your area and the adverse-weather information for those routes. Metro may have to switch to snow routes in some locations with little notice;
• Be patient. Buses are not always on schedule in snowy or icy conditions. And, increased ridership during bad weather can result in crowded buses and a longer-than-usual wait on the phone for the Rider Information Office (206-553-3000);
• Dress warmly for the walk to the bus stop and possible delays, and wear appropriate footwear for the weather;
• Head for bus stops on main arterials or at major transfer points such as park-and-ride lots, transit centers, or shopping centers; and
• Riders should wait at bus stops at the very top or very bottom of hills, because buses are often unable to stop for passengers on inclines.

For motorists:

• Allow ample time to reach your destination;
• Equip your vehicle with all-season tires and carry tire chains;
• If you must abandon your vehicle, park it clear of travel lanes to allow sanding trucks to get through. Cars left in travel lanes may be towed and impounded;
• Dress for the weather in case you become stranded and have to walk;
• Use caution when following a snowplow or sander by allowing at least two car lengths distance;
• Caution children about the dangers of sledding on hilly streets.

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.