OBJECTIVES:
To provide an adequate flow of traffic during ice and snow conditions, while staying within reasonable financial expenditure limits.
The Public Works Road Division and staff, with the adoption of this plan, are establishing a high priority for maintaining good traffic flow in winter months.
When snow and ice removal is necessary, first priority will be to open all County arterial roads, and bus and mail routes. This will allow a uniform traffic pattern throughout the County. Secondary priority is given to County collector and local roads and widening of arterials. Third priority is given to non-County local access roads as manpower is available.
Some changes in this plan will no doubt be necessary as special snow conditions may arise.
ROAD DIVISION
SNOW REMOVAL AND SANDING RESPONSE
I. SANDING
Sanding will be implemented on arterial roads, bus and mail routes as determined necessary by the Road Superintendent and/or Sheriff Department. Again, special conditions may require sanding after hours, such as freezing rains or special community events. Normally, sheriff patrols will spot the needs and notify the Road Division if emergency conditions exist after 5:30 p.m.
When it is snowing heavily, sanding does very little good, so sanding will be reduced during these times. Some residential hills require sanding at stop signs after all arterial sanding has been completed.
II. SNOW REMOVAL
When snow removal is necessary, first priority will be to open arterial roads, mail and bus routes. Snow plowing will be implemented by the Road Division Superintendent, General Supervisor or District Supervisor as per the methods outlined in this plan. The snow plowing will begin when the snow depth reaches 6 inches in the roads and forecast predicts continuous snow fall.
When snow fall is less than 6 inches, but more than 4 inches it may be necessary to remove slush during periods of rapid melting.
Plowing will be done with the primary goal of opening roads for traffic flow, and a second goal of widening rural roads in districts.
Snow plowing will be accomplished by the Road Division by using truck plows, graders, and front end loaders.
Non-County access roads on an emergency or lower priority basis, but not until the above mentioned areas have been plowed and manpower is available.
Blockages that result from plowing are unavoidable and will be the responsibility of the individual property owner. The crews will try to minimize blockages.
This snow response plan is intended to give general directions for street sanding and snow removal. It is realized that special conditions may arise that will require a response out of a given sequence of this plan. Examples may be drifting snow, funerals, flooding threats, freezing rains, and other unforeseen circumstances.
III. IMPLEMENTATION
Phase 1 – The primary objective of this division is to keep as many major County routes as is feasible open and passable from onset to completion of the storm. Fire halls will be made accessible.
Phase 2 – When the storm ends and Phase 1 is complete, crews will open the secondary routes including county collector and local roads after major routes have been widened. Arterial routes will now be widened, also.
Phase 3 – Response to citizen reports of roads including non-county local access roads, which require additional plowing and/or sanding (after Phase 1 and 2 are complete and as manpower is available).
IV. WORK SCHEDULE
Normal work shifts for sanding and plowing will be:
9 men 4:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. The Dalles District
1 man 4:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. Mosier District
2 men 4:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. Dufur District
2 men 4:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. Wamic District
1 man 4:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. Antelope District
V. SUMMARY
Each winter storm provides a different set of conditions upon which the department must act. Phase 1 will be implemented with the onset of the storm. Precautionary actions and expected conditions will be evaluated to determine the next sequence of the phases.