With a winter storm watch in effect for much of western Washington, the Washington State Department of Transportation is gearing up to fight whatever Mother Nature throws our way.

The department has replenished its stockpiles of deicer and sand/salt mixes

Also, staff is cross-trained so more workers are prepared to plow and sand roads, while others can work incident response.

Department trucks and plows have been serviced and restocked with supplies to treat roads. Finally, snow and ice removal crews will be on the job 24/7 and patrolling the roads

“We have to make sure every truck we own is out on the road” said Patrick Moylan, Maintenance and Operations Manager. “Our crews will report for work throughout the night and morning to ensure we have full staffing to clear roads for both the morning and evening commutes on Wednesday.”

According to the DOT, the I-5 and I-90 express lanes will remain open 24 hours a day at least through Wednesday night.

The I-5 express lanes will be switched to southbound at 11 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 16. We will switch them to northbound at 9:30 a.m., Wednesday, Dec. 17

The I-90 express lanes will be switched to westbound at 11 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 16. They will return to eastbound service approximately 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, Dec. 17

Keeping the express lanes open 24 hours a day allows the department to plow them if necessary and prevent the gates from freezing shut, officials said. Crews who normally reverse the gates also can be shifted to other positions to support our snow and ice removal efforts.

Although WSDOT will have plows, sand and deicing trucks on the roads throughout the night, drivers need to be prepared for winter snow and ice driving conditions, department officials said.

Drivers should:

* Drive for conditions

* Allow extra time to reach their destination

* Drive at slower speeds and increase stopping distance

* Check their route before you go at www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/seattle/; call 511, or 1-800-695-ROAD for updated conditions

* Give plows the right of way

* Remain with their vehicles at all times