Frequently Asked Questions About Snow & Ice Removal

How does the City select the streets that will be plowed or sanded during a storm?

When it snows, Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) crews maintain a network of pre-selected key routes that provide reasonable access to most city areas and are key routes for regional transit. SDOT equipment is busy 24-hours a day clearing and sanding these major arterial streets. Our 27 trucks with sanders and snowplows must take care of 1,531 lane miles of arterial streets. Once the snow stops and we are comfortable with the condition of the arterial streets, we may be able to take care of residential streets on a request-basis. However, many residential streets are too narrow for our plows to work in them safely.

How is the snow plowing performed?

Snow is plowed to the center of the street so it doesn't block the path of melting snow flowing to street drains along the curb. Also, this way it doesn't get in the way of cars parked along the curb. Another benefit of having snow pushed to the center of the street is that it serves as a barrier between lanes of traffic going in opposite directions.

Who is responsible for clearing the snow off sidewalks and driveways?

Home and property owners are responsible for clearing their driveways and the sidewalks next to their property. Unfortunately, SDOT does not have the resources to clear sidewalks.

Who keeps the bus stop areas along the curb free of snow?

King County's Metro Transit has their own fleet of trucks with sanders. SDOT has an agreement with Metro to share our supply of sand when there is enough on hand.

What kind of communication takes place among the state, county, and city?

SDOT works together with state, county, and city agencies as well as Metro Transit, Community Transit, Sound Transit and the Seattle School District. Managers from these agencies meet each year to plan how they will coordinate their work. During snow and ice events they assist each other, and their dispatchers share information by phone and fax.

For more information, call (206) 386-1218