Winter Weather Response

Public works has recently purchased new equipment to better assist with keeping the roads safe, adding a de-icer sprayer, de-icer storage of 275 gallons and two additional plows. The city has also purchased a smaller plow for use in residential areas. On top of that, public works crews have recently received winter weather training.

For a smaller-sized city, Milwaukie is well equipped for winter weather response with three plows, three sanders and one de-icer sprayer. For more information about the city's winter weather response, check out the winter weather response map here.

MILWAUKIE INCLEMENT WEATHER OPERATIONS
Crews use various strategies to address the changing conditions that often occur during winter weather events and strive to respond in a reasonable timeframe to snowy and icy streets. Crews cannot, however, always ensure safe vehicle operation on city streets under extremely hazardous winter conditions. When these conditions exist, it may be necessary for drivers to use traction devices or seek other transportation alternatives.

Remember, even the best preventive measures don’t eliminate the risk involved with driving in winter weather conditions. It is always up to the driver to travel at speeds and in a manner appropriate for the road and weather conditions.

The City of Milwaukie does not maintain all street surface in the city limits. For questions about who maintains area streets, click here. 

DE-ICING
The use of liquid de-icer is limited to steeper hills and is applied at a controlled application rate. De-icer is used based on current and forecasted conditions. The goal is to apply the least amount of de-icer and sand needed to maintain a safe driving surface.

How is de-icer used?
Liquid de-icer is applied to the roadway in order to lower the freezing temperature of water and prevent ice and snow from forming a bond to the roadway surface. Crews use either liquid magnesium chloride or calcium chloride. These products are currently in use by the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT), Clackamas County and Cities of West Linn, Oregon City, Happy Valley, Gresham and Canby, as well as many other jurisdictions in Oregon and Washington. ODOT has been safely using this product for more than 10 years.

Winter de-icer can be used in several ways, including:

• A pre-application that helps prevent snow and ice from forming/sticking to street surfaces
• To melt accumulated snow and ice on street surfaces.
• In conjunction with sand to help the sand stay in place on icy street surfaces

Please see the map for the streets included on the de-icer and plow list.

What is the advantage of using liquid de-icer?
Liquid de-icer can be applied to the roadway a few hours before a severe weather event occurs, preventing ice crystals from bonding to the pavement. As pavement is kept from freezing, crews can keep key streets ready for traffic rather than responding after Milwaukie’s road conditions have become dangerous for motorists.

De-icer may also be applied in conjunction with sand under some conditions. The application of de-icer on snow or ice with significant accumulation helps keep the snow loose and plowable so it can be removed more easily. The city will use a variety of treatments and techniques to control snow and ice at different times and places throughout Milwaukie. 

Another advantage is using de-icer has led to reductions in wintertime vehicle crashes. Additionally, the de-icing product can be less expensive than sanding and reduces the amount of time spent plowing, sanding, and cleaning up sand after storm events.

For more information about the city's plowing, sanding and de-icer plans, www.milwaukieoregon.gov/publicworks/winter-weather-very-near

How much snow has to fall before the city responds?
Typically, crews respond when they are reasonably sure that freezing conditions or snow accumulation is likely. Depending upon the forecast, crews may apply de-icer as a preventative measure to lessen the impact on drivers, or respond as needed as the winter weather event unfolds. Typically, they begin to plow snow as it accumulates to 2 inches or above.

Why won’t the city clear the snow berm off my driveway while plowing?
The city has insufficient resources to the remove driveway berms created when crews clear the street. The main objective is to make the majority of streets passable and safe for drivers. A tip to prevent plowed snow from blocking a driveway approach is to clear an area about ten feet to the left of the driveway. When the plow comes down the street, it will push snow into the cleared area and not back into the driveway.