When will your road be cleared? Whatcom County, cities set these priorities

Few Whatcom County streets and roads were showing bare pavement even before the snowfall Thursday, Dec. 30, and most roads were coated with a layer of compact snow and ice after several days of wintry weather.

Whatcom County highways, streets and roads often are treated with anti-icing compounds or coated with sand for traction on hills.

Each state, county and city public works department has its own priorities regarding when roadways are cleared of snow and ice, but generally, the busier streets and transit routes are cleared first.

“Our goal in plowing is to make at least some lanes passable on as many state routes as possible,” WSDOT tweeted Thursday. “We work off of our priority maps, so the highest-traveled routes will receive the most attention.”

Snowplows can travel a maximum 35 mph when plowing, and drivers should stay well behind to avoid being hit by chunks of ice and snow, WSDOT said.

Large vehicles such as buses, fire trucks and ambulances must drive slower when their wheels are chained for traction on snow.

Drivers in rural Whatcom County were urged to drive slowly.

“Remember that we plow county roads based on their priority level,” the Whatcom County Department of Public Works said on its website.

An online map shows the order for clearing rural roads.

“We continue to plow/sand Priority 1 roads until conditions on them improve. Then we move to lower-priority roads. Higher-priority roads are our more heavily traveled roads,” the county said.

In Bellingham, Public Works Department officials watch conditions from several facilities that are staffed around the clock during snow emergencies, the city said on its website.

“Priority for plowing is based on safety concerns, focusing on major hazard areas, main arterials, and some secondary arterials, including routes that are essential for police, fire, Whatcom Transportation Authority buses, and Bellingham schools,” the city said.

Roads that typically are cleared first include Alabama Street, Meridian Street, Cornwall Avenue, Old Fairhaven Parkway, and the downtown business district.

“Side streets are addressed only after the priority routes are completely plowed, salted and sanded, which means that some residential streets may be slippery or difficult to access during snow and ice events,” the city said.

Property owners are responsible for clearing sidewalks, according to city codes.