Washington County’s Department of Land Use & Transportation (LUT) road crews are preparing for winter conditions, despite no immediate signs of cold weather. The teams have completed training to review winter weather operations in case of snowfall or icy roads.
According to Washington County, LUT's road crews have been practicing with the essential tools of their trade—plows and sanders. "Our crews and equipment are ready for the coming winter storm season and we are prepared to serve our community with round-the-clock coverage once the snow starts falling," Road Operations and Maintenance Division Manager Todd Watkins was quoted. Alongside their rigorous training, the department has added a bit of muscle to their fleet with three new trucks equipped with sanding and plowing attachments.
The new medium-duty trucks are designed for year-round use, featuring rear attachments that can be switched to serve sanding equipment in the winter and adapted for summer construction needs. They join a fleet of pickup and dump trucks, all equipped with plowing and sanding attachments, as well as gravel road graders built to handle snow clearance on high-elevation gravel roads.
Washington County residents can rely on LUT crews to activate a 12-hour shift work cycle during severe weather to maintain clear and safe paths on priority snow plow and ice control routes, which are essential for access to emergency services and key facilities. In the event of severe winter conditions, these measures are designed to help ensure continued safety and mobility.
Travelers in Washington County’s more affected areas during snow or ice events should be aware that Snow Zone protocols may be activated in locations prone to winter weather-related crashes, including 175th Avenue, Barnes Road, Cornell Road, and Grabhorn Road. Flashing signs will indicate when traction control devices are required, and failure to comply may result in citations from law enforcement.
