Expect delays in snow removal

RITZVILLE – State Department of Transportation officials are advising rural residents to prepare for delayed snow and ice removal this winter.

In an announcement last week, state Eastern Region Administrator Michael R. Gribner said a lack of employees will make it difficult to keep up with winter road conditions this year.

“Due to staff shortages, you should expect impacts to winter snow and ice service that you have become accustomed to,” he said.

Gribner said the staff shortages are due to a hiring freeze, furloughs and employees quitting their jobs over Gov. Jay Inslee’s order requiring all state employees to get “fully vaccinated” or get fired.

The shortage is compounded by the agency’s inability to hire “qualified applicants,” he sad.

“When snow and ice removal begins, our response will be slower,” he said. “We will still cover and plow all routes, but some state routes with smaller traffic volumes and lower priority could see a slower response time or routes that are not plowed as frequently.”

Gribner said Interstate 90 will be the highest priority route in Adams County when it comes to snow removal.

The second-highest priority will be U.S. Highway 395 from Ritzville to Franklin County.

State Highway 26 linking Othello to Pullman, Highway 21 linking Lind to Odessa and Highway 261 connecting Washtucna to Ritzville will all be low priorities, according to a map Gribner released.

Gribner said a lack of employees could also be felt in the repair shop.

“Plow trucks during the winter are used nearly 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This puts an incredible strain on the vehicle,” he said. “The plow bits, hydraulic lines and other mechanical aspects of the truck need servicing from time to time, or, like any piece of equipment, they can fail and need repair.”

The agency lacks mechanics, he said, noting the region is “staffed at roughly 40%.”

The delay in repairs could lead to a shortage of road-ready snow removal equipment, he said.

Gribner is asking rural residents and motorists for patience during winter weather events.

“Know that we are doing everything in our power to clear the roadways in a safe and timely manner to keep everyone moving safely and efficiently,” he said. “Our staff are dedicated, hardworking and take a great deal of pride in being able to provide this service to the public and will do everything in their power to do so.”

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Roger Harnack, Publisher

Roger Harnack is co-owner and publisher of Free Press Publishing. An award-winning journalist, photographer, editor and publisher who grew up in Eastern Washington, he's one of only two Washington state journalists ever to receive the international Golden Quill for editorial/commentary writing. Roger is committed to preserving local media, and along with it, a local voice for Eastern Washington.

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