King County identifies 70 new miles to plow in future snowstorms

SEATTLE — King County transportation officials are looking to add 70 more miles of roads to plow in future snowstorms. 

In the wake of last February's record-breaking snowstorm, the King County Department of Local Services and Road Services Division ("Roads") has proposed a revised snow mitigation plan. 

King County Roads is currently resourced to clear a limited amount of designated snow and ice routes within three days of a snowstorm. During a major snow event, Roads will collaborate with other county agencies to clear 583 miles of snow and ice routes within five days. 

In their report, the King County Local Services and Road Services Division has identified the 70 new miles that could be added to the existing 583 miles of snow routes, including 20 miles of emergency routes.

These additional route miles would improve service to neighborhoods and reduce the amount of time it would take the county to clear all the roads, the report said. 

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Roads' report identifies three potential options to increase King County's snow and ice response resources, especially in unincorporated areas:

• The first option involves retaining an on-call snow and ice response contractor to increase county staff during countywide storm events. Retaining on-call snow and ice contract services would provide a flexible solution to supplement existing county snow and ice response resources.  
• The second option would be to hire additional year-round Roads employees and purchase additional snow and ice equipment.  These staff members would also do seasonal road maintenance work when not on snow duty. The report claims this is the most expensive option. 
• The third option is to further leverage resources from other King County agencies by outfitting select Parks and Recreation Division trucks with snow plowing and sanding capabilities and identifying additional staff to operate that equipment. It has not been determined if an adequate number of qualified, licensed employees could be found within the County’s workforce to operate the equipment during storm events.

Roads' report claims the first option is the cheapest of the three, and right now, it is the favorable option.

King County legislatures received the report on Wednesday. 

County Councilmembers will still need to review and discuss the plan. 

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