Six to eight inches of snow in Bellevue has kept city crews busy keeping priority arterial streets clear for emergency vehicles, commuters and transit on Thursday. Crews are continuing working round the clock, using all available resources to remove snow and ice from arterials, city officials said late Thursday afternoon.
The city is asking people to continue to stay off Bellevue roads, if at all possible, and to be prepared for extremely hazardous and icy road conditions, especially when driving on neighborhood roads that have not been plowed.
“Many people have heeded our warnings and not ventured out in their cars. We appreciate that while crews continue working,” said Mike Jackman, Utilities Operations and Maintenance assistant director. “Staying off the roads is the single most important thing you can do to keep yourself and others safe and to help us clear the roads of snow and ice as quickly as possible.”
The hard freeze in the forecast for Friday and into the weekend will create even more dangerous road conditions. Any packed snow not plowed off streets will freeze and turn to ice, making it harder for crews to de-ice and remove before the next snowfall forecast for this weekend.
Crews will continue clearing and stabilizing primary arterials and will move into neighborhood arterials and streets as soon as they can.
As of 3 p.m. Thursday the following roads were closed.
• NE 8th is closed in both directions between 120th/124th Avenues
• Se 32nd is closed from 128th to Richards Road
• 128th Ave SE is closed from SE 26th to SE 28th
Those who must drive should use traction devices such as chains, cables, studded tires or cleats and be prepared for cold, icy weather.
Drivers who cannot navigate a road should make every attempt to move their vehicles completely off the roadway. Parallel park as close to the curb as possible if you must park on the road.
Don’t park sideways on the road or in an intersection, officials advise. If you have to leave your car, they advise placing your phone number visible on the dashboard. Abandoned vehicles may be towed. To avoid being impounded, return to your vehicle as soon as practical.
