SNOHOMISH — If a major snowstorm hits, the city won’t be able to clear all the streets.
Snohomish has released its snow and ice response plan to residents.
The city has had the plan for a long time, but it wants people to understand how it works, and what order streets will be plowed.
Under the plan, streets are divided into three priority levels. Residential streets are the lowest priority, so they would not be plowed during a major snowstorm unless there is an emergency, public works and operation manager Karen Latimer said.
“We just don’t have the resources,” she said.
The city has one plow truck to remove snow and to drop sand. Another truck is equipped only to drop sand, Latimer said.
The top-priority routes include portions of First Street, Avenue D, Bickford Avenue and Union Avenue. Those 11 miles make up the main streets that police and fire departments need to keep open so they can respond to emergencies.
During a milder snowstorm, the city plans to plow four miles of second-priority routes. These include Avenue A, Park Avenue, Lincoln Avenue and Pine Avenue, along with Fourth and 30th streets.
Under the plan, hills will be closed for snow and ice conditions on Fifth Street, Union Avenue and 10th Street.
Plowing operations would start when snow accumulation reaches two inches. Sanding and plowing operations would first focus on top-priority routes and, depending on the conditions, then move to second-priority roads.
In a major snowstorm, top-priority routes would be plowed several times, Latimer said.
Heavy snows in 2008 brought complaints in many cities, including Snohomish.
The street department has three full time employees for snow plowing. Five employees from other departments are trained as well if they’re needed.
The National Weather Service says this winter could be colder and wetter than normal, with an increased chance of snowfall in the lowlands.
People can get copies of the city’s plan at City Hall, 116 Union Ave., and it also will be available online at www.ci.snohomish.wa.us.
Alejandro Dominguez: 425-339-3422; adominguez@ heraldnet.com.
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