PORTLAND, Ore. — The Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) is ready to take on winter weather conditions and is urging the public to be proactive and prepared as the winter season approaches. On Tuesday, PBOT hosted a press conference at its Albina Yard, sharing the steps the agency is taking ahead of winter.
Executive leaders, emergency responders and snowplow operators from PBOT, TriMet and the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) were on hand to discuss what the agencies do to keep people safe when winter weather strikes.
With the city of Portland's transition to a new form of government, this will be the first winter the Rose City has with a city administrator overseeing all bureaus.
Priya Dhanapal, the public works deputy city administrator overseeing the Portland Water Bureau and Bureau of Environmental Services, spoke on the readiness of several transportation agencies.
"During winter storms, crews from PBOT and our regional partners work night and day, in challenging conditions, to make our routes passable for the traveling public," Dhanapal said.
Dhanapal also emphasized the value of the public working with these agencies, especially when it snows or rains. She advised making plans to stay off the road, clearing sidewalks to help neighbors use public transit, checking winter weather resources and using the Winter Weather Center for real-time snowplow tracking and road information.
"When it snows, we also need the public's help. Make a plan today for how you and your family can stay off the roads and give our crews the space they need to make our snow and ice routes passable," Dhanapal said. "We need to work together and help each other."
The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) advises the public to check tripcheck.com for road conditions before leaving home and asks drivers to never pass snowplows on the right or follow too closely. The Washington Department of Transportation (WSDOT) emphasizes the need for patience and giving snowplows space. TriMet echoes similar sentiments from Dhanapal and ODOT to plan ahead, check road conditions and verify routes.
Transportation crews will work to keep emergency routes passable. PBOT says it will focus on clearing paths for buses, police, firefighters and paramedics.
"In winter weather, PBOT crews are the first responders for the first responders," PBOT Transportation Director Millicent Williams said. "We make roads passable for TriMet buses, as well as police, firefighters and paramedics. We update our routes every year to make sure we are plowing streets that provide access to hospitals and emergency shelters."
If anyone decides to drive despite winter road conditions, ODOT asks drivers to be on high alert and allow enough time for travel while dressing for the conditions. Any abandoned, stranded or stuck vehicle will be towed.
"Please watch out for our transportation workers," said Geoff Bowyer, Region 1 Emergency Manager for ODOT. "We've already had snowplows hit this winter season. Never pass a snowplow on the right or follow them too closely. I cannot stress enough: please slow down, pay attention, obey the law and move over."