PULLMAN, WA—The season’s first significant snow event brought icy road conditions yesterday afternoon and evening that caused over 100 crashes across the Palouse.
City staff responded to the weather forecast by deploying road salt and liquid deicer units beginning Monday morning.
Major challenges came later as a second snow event arrived mid-day that, coupled with increasingly freezing temperatures, forced a rapid pivot of available snow plows to again concentrate snow removal and deployment of gravel and road salt on major roadways.
A sharp influx of motorists trying to avoid an evening commute led to higher traffic volumes and motorist incidents that unfortunately delayed City vehicles from being able to cover their typical area in a normal manner.
Heeding a recommendation from City officials, Pullman Transit suspended operation at approximately 4:00 p.m. while they continued to assess road conditions. By 7:00 p.m., service was restored and potential riders were notified shortly thereafter via the Pullman Transit webpage, mobile app, and social media.
For best results when winter driving, please slow down, leave extra space between your vehicle and the one in front of you, and ensure your vehicle is equipped with the proper tires for the conditions.
The City of Pullman will closely monitor the impending winter storm that’s expected to arrive this evening. The snow and ice control team will continue to employ all available resources to help mitigate the impacts of winter weather events so Pullman’s roadways stay as safe as possible for all travelers.
Media Contact
Matt Young
Communications Coordi
nator
[email protected]
509-338-3173