News from King County Department of Transportation
Release date:  November 30, 2007

County transportation teams on snow watch for weekend

With lowland snow and the potential for heavy rain in the weekend forecast, Metro Transit and the King County Road Services Division are ready to respond if travel becomes difficult.

Both divisions of the King County Department of Transportation have new snow-and-ice response plans to roll out this year. Many of the changes are based on lessons learned during the multiple storms of last winter.

“Last winter threw a little bit of everything at us here in King County,” said KCDOT Director Harold Taniguchi. “We had flooding and snow in November, high winds in December, and 2007 kicked off with more snow in January. Since then, we’ve worked to better synch up our response plans between the department’s roads and transit divisions; and also between county, state, and local agencies.”

Metro and the Roads Division have worked with several local cities to match up snow plowing priority routes with bus routes, so fewer buses will be stuck on unplowed roads. If they do get stuck, Metro has a new towing agreement with the Washington State Department of Transportation to clear immobile buses more quickly from the local freeways.

The Roads Division has entered into a partnership with Puget Sound Energy and other agencies to participate in a Utility Road Clearing task force. The goal is to set up direct communication between line crews and field personnel from different agencies to speed clean up and repair efforts when roads are blocked by fallen trees, flood waters, or deep snow.

These new initiatives are in addition to the regular winter preparations that have been underway for months at KCDOT.

If the snow begins to fall, Metro will go on adverse weather alert and prepare to chain buses as necessary. The transit agency will also put buses on snow routing in areas where travel becomes dangerous. When buses are on adverse weather routing, Metro revises its service to bypass hazardous and hilly streets.

Because weather and road conditions can change quickly, it is hard to predict in advance of the storm which buses will be rerouted and if schedules will be delayed. If travel in your area is impacted by snow and ice, or is in hilly areas, expect buses to be on snow reroutes. Visit Metro Online at www.kingcounty.gov/metro for general information and pre-established snow routing.

Metro will be prepared to operate chained shuttles to serve some routes that operate in steep or higher elevation areas such as Queen Anne hill in Seattle and the Issaquah Highlands Park-and-Ride on the Sammamish Plateau.

Road Division crews will be equally busy removing snow from roadways in unincorporated King County. The crews will be both plowing, and laying down anti-icer to keep roads from refreezing. They will remain on watch as the weather warms to deal with any road closures due to wind or rising floodwaters. Winter road information and alerts are available at: www.kingcounty.gov/kcdot

Here are a few reminders from KCDOT on how to prepare for potential bad weather:

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 that serve your area. Metro may have to switch to snow routes 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
• Where hills cannot be avoided, 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:

• Never drive around road closure signs;
• 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. News releases about changing conditions will be posted on KCDOT’s Web site and Regional Public Information Network at www.rpin.org.