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Preparing for snow and ice
in the forecast
 This
week’s forecast is calling for both snow and ice, and the King County
Department of Transportation is preparing to keep motorists and bus
riders safe no matter what happens.
For the King County Road Services Division, the overall goal is to
provide the safest possible driving conditions for the public. Primary
snow removal routes include: major arterials; Metro Transit and school
bus routes; emergency routes (i.e. hospital access roads); and access
roads to freeways and park-and-ride lots.
Many residents are unaware of how icy county roads can be, especially
during the early morning and late evening hours. Basic winter driving
tips include:
● Allow ample time to reach your destination;
● Equip your vehicle with all-season tires and carry tire chains;
● If you must abandon your vehicle, park it clear of travel lanes to
allow sanding trucks to get through. Cars left in travel lanes may be
towed and impounded;
● Dress for the weather in case you become stranded and have to walk;
● Use caution when following a snowplow or sander by allowing at least
two car lengths distance;
● Caution children about the dangers of sledding on hilly streets.
Residents are encouraged to report problems on roads in unincorporated
King County by calling (206) 296-8100, or 1-800-KC ROADS if they live
outside the greater Seattle calling area.
At Metro Transit, crews have already prepped the buses for winter
driving, and have the chains handy should the snow start falling. Here
are some tips for bus riders during bad weather:
● Keep timetables handy for quick reference when you hear Metro is
modifying service because of snow or ice;
● If you do not normally ride the bus, check timetables ahead of time
for routes serving your area and the adverse-weather information for
those routes;
● Be patient. Buses are not always on schedule in snowy or icy
conditions;
● Dress warmly for the walk to the bus stop and possible delays, and
wear appropriate footwear for the weather;
● Head for bus stops on main arterials or at major transfer points such
as malls, colleges, park-and-ride lots, or transit centers;
● Riders should wait at bus stops at the very top or very bottom of
hills, because buses are often unable to stop for passengers on
inclines.
 When
road conditions warrant, Metro reroutes service or operates chained
shuttles on some routes to avoid hazardous streets. Reroutes may vary by
route and by weather conditions, and often change quickly. Some snow
routes have been changed, so passengers should not assume their bus
travels exactly as it did in past winters. Try to check the adverse
weather routing for your most-used bus routes in advance, then be aware
of driving conditions in your area when getting ready to travel.
Reroute information is also available in
Metro Online, or by calling
Metro Rider Information at (206) 553-3000/voice or (206) 684-1739/TTY.
Emergency information about regional transportation services is also
available on the Regional Public
Information Network (RPIN).
Changes for some
downtown bus routes
 Metro
Transit is making some modifications to about 16 routes in downtown
Seattle starting this Saturday, Dec. 3. Metro hopes the changes will
improve the flow of buses between Interstate 5 and the downtown core
during the morning and afternoon rush-hour periods.
Most of the changes focus on Stewart Street between I-5 and Second
Avenue, and include:
● Moving routes 7 Express, 116, 118, 119 and 202 from Stewart
Street to Bell Street;
● Moving afternoon Route 196 service from Stewart Street to Pine
Street;
● Fewer stops on Stewart Street for routes 7, 25, 27, 70, 74
Express, 76, 77, 79, 304 and 355; and
● Closing the bus stop southbound on Westlake Avenue between
Stewart Street and Olive Way.
Bus riders affected by these changes have been notified by Rider Alerts
at bus stops along these routes. For more information, call Metro Rider
Information at (206) 553-3000.
Rootwad – Funny name for important tool
 It
has a funny name for such an important construction tool. But, rootwads
are a key component for many bridge and streamside road projects.
Restoring the natural landscape is mandatory these days for almost every
bridge and road project. A rootwad is the stump of a tree that is placed
in the water to provide natural shelter for fish and other aquatic life,
and also to help stabilize the streambed. Usually, they measure 12 to 14
feet in length, and come complete with roots attached. They are also
known as “large woody debris” or “rootballs.”
Throughout the year, Roads Maintenance crews search for the perfect
rootwad, as they carry out other projects. Sometimes downed trees from
storms can be used, but they often are not large enough or the stump
cannot be extracted cleanly to be used as a rootwad.
The majority comes from the forested land at the maintenance unit’s
Summit Field Headquarters in Maple Valley. To keep the Summit forest
healthy, occasionally trees are felled. Many of these firs, alders and
cedars can be used again in Roads projects by logging them into rootwads,
large logs, and wood chips.
Recent projects such as the Elliott Bridge near Renton and the culvert
work near Mileta Creek on Vashon Island required a great number of
rootwads. Buying them new off the market can be expensive. The price of
excavating a rootwad on county land is a third of what it costs to buy
one. So, the trees at the Summit site help the county save money, while
protecting the natural environment of our rivers, streams and creeks.
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