When the snow falls
Different plowing policies for city, county, state
GRANT COUNTY —Snow has already fallen on roads in Grant County, and depending on where you live, a different policy is set on when those roads will get cleared this winter.
The city of Moses Lake, Grant County and the Washington State Department of Transportation each have their own policies when it comes time to sanding and plowing the white stuff after a storm.
Moses Lake's policy is to begin plowing arterial streets, bus routes and emergency routes, when roads get an accumulation of up to 2 inches of snow. Moses Lake Public Works Superintendent Tim Varney said that the city doesn't necessarily wait for 2 inches of snow, but will plow if a forecast calls for additional snow. The amount of plowing also depends on whether a thaw is expected, Varney said.
"We take in consideration the weather that's coming up also," Varney said.
Late last month, the area's first snow storm brought plows out on city arterial roads, but Varney said the amount of snow was not enough and did not last long enough for city crews to go through residential streets.
In the winter months crews begin at 6 a.m., and 4 a.m. if a snow is predicted. If a storm is predicted those crews will work in two shifts to keep roads clear until 7 p.m. In the event of a severe storm that could drop 6-8 inches of snow, Varney's crews would be working 24 hours a day.
WSDOT has three priorities in the Moses Lake area. Interstate 90 and Highway 17, spokesman Jeff Adamson said, are deemed first priorities and WSDOT crews aim to maintain those roads as bare and wet.
The other road WSDOT manages is actually within the city limits of Moses Lake. Broadway Avenue is also known as State Route 171 and WSDOT considers that as a second priority, plowing the road after 1 inch of snow accumulates.
Grant County's public works department calls out crews outside of normal working hours after 3 inches of snow has fallen on county roads. In the event of freezing rain, the county will call out sanding crews to sand intersections, steep grades and sharp curves on major arterials if freezing rain has reached 1/8 inch thick.
Plowing and sanding in Grant County happens on a priority with major arterials first, followed by minor arterials with steep grades, with later plowing and sanding scheduled for other rural and local access roads. Roads that have been identified within emergency school bus routes are also given priority status when school is in session.
When crews are out plowing, Varney asked motorists to make themselves visible and give the crews enough space to ensure safety while plowing.
"It works out pretty well, short of the big event," Varney said, adding that the Moses Lake area hasn't had a severe crippling storm in the last few years.