Road crews gear up for possible snow in the Seattle area this weekend

Published 3:54 pm Friday, January 13, 2012

While forecasters are peppering the word “snow” into their predictions for this weekend and Martin Luther King Jr. Day, maintenance crews from the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) are gearing up to keep roads safe, but they need help from drivers.

“We’ve been planning for snow for a long time and our crews are always ready,” said Assistant Regional Administrator Dave McCormick in a press release. “Drivers should stay informed and be prepared for icy and snow covered roads, too.”

Snow plows and a collection of truck-mounted sanders are on standby throughout western Washington, and maintenance crews will keep an eye on the changing forecast. WSDOT is armed with 195,000 gallons of liquid deicer and a stockpile of nearly 27,000 tons of sand and road salt in anticipation of ice forming or snow hitting pavement.

Even though WSDOT crews are prepared, they need drivers to help:

· Drivers need to prepare for winter conditions, stay informed and make good decisions about where and when to drive.

· The best decision is the one that puts safety first.

· Plan ahead and allow extra time to reach your destination.

· Have an emergency car kit on board.

· Make sure your chains fit and you know how to use them.

· Drivers can stay informed before heading out the door by using WSDOT’s mobile apps, Twitter feeds and Seattle traffic cameras.