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Maintaining Transportation Infrastructure in Winter Conditions <br />Snoqualmie Pass experiences heavy <br />snowfall each winter, with snowy conditions <br />often lasting several months. Maintaining <br />transportation infrastructure under these <br />conditions is essential to ensuring safety, <br />mobility, and reliable access for all users, <br />including residents, freight, and recreation. <br />Elements such as roundabouts, roadway <br />access points, and shared-use paths <br />require carefully planned winter strategies <br />to remain functional and safe. <br />Proactive snow and ice management not <br />only supports consistent travel during <br />severe weather but also reduces disruptions <br />to local communities and protects critical <br />regional connectivity. <br />Roundabouts <br />When new transportation infrastructure <br />is introduced, both the public and <br />maintenance personnel must adapt their practices to <br />ensure proper use and upkeep. Maintenance crews <br />in many snowy regions (such as Avon, Colorado, <br />which averages more than 300 inches of annual <br />snowfall) have successfully maintained roundabouts <br />under similar conditions. <br />Standard snowplow equipment can be used for <br />roundabout maintenance, though it requires <br />modified maneuvers compared to conventional <br />intersections. Plowing typically begins at the center <br />(truck apron) and proceeds outward to the edge of <br />the circulating lane. The central island can serve <br />as temporary snow storage, with additional snow <br />pushed to outer edges. Applying de-icing materials <br />at entry and exit points improves traction and user <br />safety. <br />Roundabouts retain their safety benefits in winter by <br />maintaining low travel speeds and reducing conflict <br />points. Coordination with regional road maintenance <br />staff during design ensures alignment on techniques, <br />curb details, equipment needs, snow storage, and <br />maneuverability. <br />Pavement Markings <br />Due to frequent snowplow activity, <br />recessed plastic pavement markings are <br />recommended for channelization in the Snoqualmie <br />Pass area. Adequate budget should be allocated for <br />renewing pavement markings as they are essential <br />for maintaining visibility and the effectiveness of <br />proposed solutions. <br />45 Snoqualmie Pass Comprehensive Safety Plan | Kittitas County