Be Safe This Winter! (Winter Road Operations)

Be Safe This Winter!

City of Scappoose 2021-22 Winter Road Operations

Flooding, wind, freezing rain and snow are weather conditions that create dangerous driving conditions and concern about access to work, school, and business. The City of Scappoose, in partnership with Columbia County and ODOT share these concerns and work together to help resolve transportation issues when bad weather arrives.

The following information is aimed at assisting you when such events occur.

Who to call?

To request help or report a road hazard:

▪ Life-threatening - emergency response – 911

▪ Hazardous road conditions – non – emergency response – 503-397-1521

▪ State Highways/Highway 30 – Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) – 503-986-4000

▪ City Maintained/Owned streets – 503-543-7146

▪ All other roads - Columbia County – 503-397-5090

Weather forecasts issued by the National Weather Service or other reporting agencies are considered to determine an appropriate response to a storm or other emergency event. If an event develops during regular working hours (Monday through Friday, 7:00 am to 4:00 pm), the Utility Supervisor will dispatch personnel and equipment as needed, under the direction of the Public Works Director or Chief of Police. During extended events, Street Operations may operate on a 24-hour basis.

Flooding

High water warning signs are posted when water covers part of a traffic lane, but the hazard can be avoided without creating a danger to traffic. Road Closure barricades are set up when traffic lanes in one direction are covered with water or when water is flowing across the roadway creating dangerous driving conditions.

Ice and Snow

In the past when icy conditions are forecasted, the Oregon Dept. of Transportation has applied anti-icing materials to Highway 30. City crews will apply sanding rock to intersections along Highway 30 as needed.

When ice and snow cause streets to become slippery, the streets may be sanded to improve traction. A clean, finely graded crushed aggregate, or anti-skid material, is mechanically spread at intersections, curves, on hills and other problem areas, at the discretion of a Supervisor. Sanding does not melt ice or snow.

Snow plows are dispatched to primary routes after snowfall has stopped or until a minimum of 4 inches of snow has accumulated. Snow plows are usually kept off of priority routes during peak hours to avoid congestion and visibility problems.

Road closure barricades are set up when street conditions are extremely hazardous.

Please note that some homes located at higher elevations with steep roadways, may not be accessible during major snow or ice events. The City wants to make sure residents living in these areas realize that City crews may not be able to service their streets during hazardous conditions.

It is also important to note that the City does not plow all of the streets within the City, only primary routes. Plowing of residential neighborhoods can create more problems than the snow itself by blocking driveways and sidewalks. Crews make every effort possible to minimize these types of impacts.