By Pat Jenkins The Dispatch Snow that has started falling in the mountains could make it into Pierce County's lower elevations before next winter is over. And the folks whose job is to make county roads snow-friendly say they're ready. For two days last month, county road crews practiced their snow-removal routines. They drove their snow plow routes, set up and checked equipment, and boned up on the county's snow and ice response plan. The warmup for cold, icy weather could ultimately prove unnecessary if predictions of a mild winter come true. But even though no one knows for sure "how severe winter weather will be this year, we will be ready,GÇ¥ said Bruce Wagner, the county's road operations manager. To help prove it, the news media was invited to the county central maintenance facility on 196th Street East in Spanaway on Oct. 12 to watch crews hooking up snow plows, installing chains, testing anti-icing products, and training with chainsaws for cutting up and removing downed trees. The next day, the workers were out and about, getting reacquainted with the roads that might need to be cleared in the coming months. The crews maintain 3,150 miles of county roadway. Not all are created equal. About 1,500 miles of them are key arterials for the motoring public, connecting neighborhoods and emergency vehicles to service centers and state highways. That's where the snow-removal emphasis goes. "Our priorities are major arterials, lifeline emergency routes, access roads to highways and freeways, and Pierce Transit and school bus snow routes,GÇ¥ Wagner said. "If you can get out of your neighborhood and reach a key arterial during snow and ice events, you will likely find a drivable road.GÇ¥ When a severe winter storm is in the forecast, crews will apply anti-icing materials to critical roadways. The effort, coupled with snowplows, will be 24 hours a day if there is heavy snowfall. The Public Works Road Operations Division can be reached around at 253-798-6000 and at piercecountywa.org/rfa for requests for service. Wagner said motorists can help themselves in winter conditions by making sure their vehicles are in good working condition and putting together an emergency kit for their car that includes blankets, a flashlight, warm clothes and non-perishable food.
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