New city snow plan OK by you? Low West Seattle turnout tonight

By Kathy Mulady
Reporting for West Seattle Blog

There were three times more city and county transportation officials than neighbors at Delridge Community Center tonight for the meeting about the new snow plan, but the many questions made up for the empty chairs.

The result was a clear commitment from the agencies that they intend to keep major streets clear, down to the bare pavement, run buses as much as possible on regular routes, and improve communication with citizens.

Charles Bookman, acting director of street maintenance for the city, stressed the intense training for street crews this month, plans to use salt brine on bare streets at the first hint of snow (as reported here 2 weeks ago), and follow-up by supervisors to make sure cleared streets really are clear.

On November 6, snowplow drivers will do a practice run through the city.

“There will be many more streets that are drivable because of this plan,” said Bookman. “I’m not saying it will be perfect right out of the box.

Jack Latteman, Transit Service Planner for Metro, talked about dedicated bus routes where buses will be guaranteed to run, and a loop route that will serve hospitals and medical facilities.

“Hopefully there will be less improvised re-routing of buses,” he said.

Paul Jung, who has lived in West Seattle for 70 years, wanted a firm promise from transportation representatives that salt will be used on the roads; he asked about the schedule for using salt brine compared to salt pellets.

Others asked if the city can promise that 35th Avenue SW be kept free of ice and snow, and suggested that Fauntleroy Way and SW Alaska Street be kept clear as well.

“We have learned a lot about what to use, how to use it, and when to use it,” said Bookman.

Off the subject of snow, Jung asked about broken glass windows in bus shelters that are no longer being replaced. Latteman said if the glass is broken twice by vandals, it will not be replaced because of budget constraints and the cost. Plexiglass doesn’t work, he said.

Editor’s note: Regarding the single-digit citizen turnout – it should be noted that tonight’s meeting conflicted with three West Seattle neighborhood-group meetings (Morgan Community Association, Fairmount Community Association, Delridge Neighborhoods District Council).

Diane October 21, 2009 (11:41 pm)

yes, if I could have cloned myself, I would have been there; I actually drove down after the Faimount Community meeting to see if anyone was still there, but it looked empty; thanks for the report

WSB October 21, 2009 (11:47 pm)

Cloning might be helpful sometimes. Luckily Kathy was available. Meantime, another contributing reporter went to the Delridge NDC meeting and Patrick to Morgan (those reports still to come). And another big night tomorrow, anchored by the Admiral Safeway/Kenney design reviews! – TR

Michael October 22, 2009 (12:57 am)

Paul Jung, who has lived in West Seattle for 70 years, wanted a firm promise from transportation representatives that salt will be used on the roads; he asked about the schedule for using salt brine compared to salt pellets.

Maybe he should be asking that to McGinn – I don’t think salt on our roads (and into our watershed) will last too long with a Sierra Club guy in as mayor.

Others asked if the city can promise that 35th Avenue SW be kept free of ice and snow, and suggested that Fauntleroy Way and SW Alaska Street be kept clear as well.

In a storm like last year’s, asking that (favorite road) be kept “free of ice and snow” would be like asking if the city can please have the next earthquake avoid shaking their house.

Leroniusmonkfish October 22, 2009 (1:15 am)

I was told by a very reliable source that it won’t snow in WS for the next 3 years.

Rob October 22, 2009 (6:38 am)

Last year’s storm was rare by my standards (47 years) and to be honest, given the economy and budget restraints,if we have a repeat of last year’s snow, the outcome is likely to be worse. Salt does not guarentee clear travel and does do considerable damage to cars, roads and the watershed even in limited quantities.

Citizens should have a game plan of their own because regardless of the November outcome, there is nothing to indicate that the city will be there when you need them.

Mr. JT October 22, 2009 (7:08 am)

Not going to trust ANYTHING that SDOT says until Grace Cruican is FIRED.

Sue October 22, 2009 (7:10 am)

Am I correct in understanding that there is no plan to ever plow or treat side streets, no matter how much snow we get? In a minor snow event, this is no big deal. But for a major one (like last year), our big issue was that even though we live on Fauntleroy (a road that will now be bare in the new plan), our car is in alley behind our house, and we need to drive on a side street to get TO Fauntleroy. In an inch or two of snow it’s no big deal, but anything significant and it’s not going to happen. Much of WS does not live on an arterial and would be faced with something similar. While I’m not expecting plows to come down side streets right away, as they are lower priority, are there plans of them *ever* doing so in a significant snow and/or ice event?

WSB October 22, 2009 (7:18 am)

Yes – that is in the plan. None of the small residential streets. Of course a “plan” is just a “plan” … When I toured SDOT’s Charles St. HQ two weeks ago for the unveiling of this plan, the mantra was “We want you to take the bus.” So their goal is to make it possible for the buses to run, but you have to figure out how to get to one … TR

junctionite October 22, 2009 (7:34 am)

The plan SDOT has put into place will be much more effective if individuals and businesses take responsibility for clearing their own sidewalks. The city certainly cannot be expected to do this. My husband and I spent most of our lives on the east coast and were shocked to find that our house was one of the few that had a shoveled sidewalk and driveway during the snow. This made it that much harder even to walk anywhere. If you don’t own a snow shovel, go buy one now! This will help enormously if we do get a significant snowfall again this year.

buddy October 22, 2009 (10:20 am)

http://www.cliffmass.blogspot.com/
Meteorologist Proffit to some says:
“with a mild to moderate El Nino event building in the tropical Pacific, this coming winter will more likely than not be warmer, drier, and more tranquil than normal.”

Sue October 22, 2009 (10:35 am)

I’m with you, junctionite. We’re also transplanted east coasters and moved here with several shovels. Not only did we clear our walk, but last year my husband got outside with a neighbor and cleared crosswalks to get to the bus stop (and then cleared the bus stop) across the street from our house. Not that we could get a bus (a whole other story), but more people need to do this. The one day I went out in the big snow aftermath to walk to the junction (1/2 mile) was nightmarish because of no one clearing sidewalks.

datamuse October 22, 2009 (4:44 pm)

Another east coast transplant here. My husband and I shoveled our driveway, our alley all the way to the street (it’s a long story, but our house has alley access only), and then lent our shovels to the neighbors.

I remember going to Home Depot to buy a snow shovel when I first bought my place, because I figured I’d need one sooner or later. They didn’t have any. Okay, it was early autumn, but…they did have something that was labeled as a grain shovel, but which has done the job handily for 10 years.

M October 22, 2009 (4:57 pm)

As a person from Wisconsin I can say that people concerned about salt damaging cars makes me giggle a little. No offense to anyone here.

I had a 1993 chevy cavalier that was originally in Montana (where lots of salt is used) until 2002 when it came to my hands in Wisconsin. (again lots of salt) If you properly take care of your car it won’t rust. By the time the car died this past year in Seattle it had half an inch of rust on it. That’s nothing for a 16 year old car in any type of climate.

Yes we have our road problems in Wisconsin, but that is mostly caused by the extreme warm-ups and cool downs we have in the spring and fall seasons. Not caused by salt. So if the City of Seattle decides to use salt a few times a winter, I am not concerned about my car and roads in the least.

Sorry, comment time is over.