Bellevue crews spending hours

to clear snow, ice

Bellevue road crews worked around the clock to maintain local streets after snowstorms blanketed the region this week.

Up to 12 inches of snow had fallen in parts of the city by Dec. 23, and forecasts called for an additional 1 to 2 inches the following day.

“It seems like every time we get caught up, it hits again,” said Bellevue Assistant Utilities Director Mike Jackman.

The city had serviced all major roads by Tuesday, and was shifting its focus to neighborhood streets so residents could go about their usual holiday business.

Road crews had already worked back-to-back 12-hour shifts for 13 days at that point, with some employees bunking at the shop to avoid missing their next stretch.

“That’s the level of service Bellevue is getting from these guys,” Jackman said. “They all deserve a huge pat on the back.”

Crews were prepared to work around the clock through Christmas Day, as additional snow was expected until Friday.

The weekend promised relief, with forecasts calling for rain and temperatures above freezing throughout Saturday and Sunday.

“We’re seeing a light at the end of the tunnel, but it might be a tough transition getting there,” Jackman said earlier in the week.

City officials warned that additional moisture could double the weight of snow, potentially damaging roof structures or breaking tree branches. A rapid melt also could overwhelm the city’s drains with water and sand, they said.

Jackman said it takes around 40 city employees – including drivers, mechanics, dispatchers and field monitors – to deal effectively with snow and ice on the streets.

Bellevue road crews used 14 trucks with rubber-edged plows and sand dispensers to keep roads open during the recent snowstorms.

Road crews plowed the major arterials first, applying an anti-icing agent and then a mixture of sand and de-icer as snow began to accumulate.

Later efforts focused on neighborhood streets, and then back to major roads once the snow returned on Tuesday night.

“Considering how much snow we had to begin with, I’d say our roads are very passable,” Jackman said.

Bellevue’s response differed from that of its urban neighbor Seattle, which refused to use de-icer because of the potential effects on Puget Sound. The result was more closed roads and ice-caked streets.

Bellevue used zero-impact road-clearing methods in the past, but has since leaned more toward increasing mobility and driver safety, according to Bellevue Street Maintenance Superintendent Judy Johnson.

Bellevue’s City Council approved the use of anti-icing agents and de-icer around 2006, Johnson said.

The de-icer is made of a calcium chloride compound that is less corrosive and more environmentally friendly than salt, which is used by the state Department of Transportation and municipalities that deal with frequent snow.

“We’re trying to minimize the impacts to the environment and still have mobility around town,” said Bellevue Utilities Operations Manager Joseph Harbour. “It’s not completely benign, but it’s the best option if you want to keep people moving.”

Johnson says the city tries to use as little de-icer as possible while still keeping the roads safe.

That hasn’t been easy with the amount of snow that dropped this week.

“We’ve gone through more sand and de-icer than anyone here can remember,” Jackman said. “We’re bringing it in as fast as it can be delivered.”

Joshua Adam Hicks can be reached at jhicks@bellevuereporter.com or 425-453-4290.