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1. My road is covered in snow and ice; will you be plowing or sanding it soon?

Snow and ice control is one of the most significant winter activities performed by Yakima County Road Maintenance crews. These crews prepare for each snow season beginning in October with a trial run of equipment installation and a review of safety practices, snow removal routes and policies.

When a winter storm event is forecasted, a liquid de-icer may be applied to road sections known to be ice prone. These road sections are typically river bridges, north facing grades and shaded areas. Chemical application rates vary depending upon the forecasted temperature and snowfall accumulations.

During a light snowfall or when freezing rain occurs, spot sanding is done at locations such as signalized intersections, stop signs, bridges, curves, hills, or locations where sand is requested by law enforcement agencies such as at the scene of traffic accidents, fires, or other emergencies.

For more information on snow removal policies, visit our Snow Removal Policy page.

2. My road is dusty. Will you be watering it down or dust abating it anytime soon?

To minimize airborne dust on gravel roadways, the Road Maintenance Department performs a one-time yearly dust abatement treatment on over 350 miles of gravel roads. Usually performed during the months of May and June, dust abatement techniques are intended to limit but not eliminate airborne dust. To find out when your gravel road may be dust abated, contact Yakima County Public Services at 509-574-2300 or or view the current year list here.

3. My road needs grading. When will the County be grading it?

We will be grading your road when the graders are in the area. If the road is extremely bad we can have a grader there shortly.

4. The dust abatement has worn off. Will you be dust abating again?

Typically, Yakima County applies dust abatement once per year. However, all roads are different. So we evaluate each one when the situation arises.

5. The traffic sign down the street is down/damaged, are you going to fix it?

If you find a sign down or other road maintenance concern, you can complete an online Maintenance Request Form or call the Road Maintenance Division at 509-574-2396 between 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday. If it is after hours, please call 509-574-2300. Maintenance Request Form

6. There is a dead animal in the road. Can the County pick it up?

If you find a dead animal or other road maintenance concern, you can complete an online Maintenance Request Form or call the Road Maintenance Division at 509-574-2396 between 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday. If it is after hours please call 509-574-2300. Maintenance Request Form

7. There is a pothole in the road. When will you be repairing it?

If you find a pothole or other road maintenance concern on a County road, you can complete an online Maintenance Request Form or call the Road Maintenance Division at 509-574-2396 between 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday. Maintenance Request Form

8. There is garbage or debris in the road. When can the County pick it up?

Depending on the cause and condition of the debris, the road maintenance department will coordinate with the debris owner and appropriate law enforcement personnel to insure safe navigation. If it is a traffic hazard, we will pick it up right away. If not, we will schedule a crew to pick it up.

If you find debris on the roadway or other road maintenance concern, you can complete an online Maintenance Request Form or call the Road Maintenance Division at 509-574-2396 between 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday. If it is after hours please call 509-574-2300. Maintenance Request Form

9. There is water over the roadway. What is the County going to do about this?

Depending on the cause of the flow, Yakima County Public Services will determine whether to close the road to traffic and place appropriate signage until the water issues is appropriately fixed addressed.

If you find a debris on the roadway or other road maintenance concern, you can complete an online Maintenance Request Form or call the Road Maintenance Division at 509-574-2396 between 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday. If it is after hours please call 509-574-2300. Maintenance Request Form

10. Vegetation is growing tall along the road and near our intersection. When will you be mowing?

To insure safe navigation of our roadways, the Public Services Maintenance Department performs regular drainage maintenance and vegetation management on over 1600 miles of County roads. For routine service requests or questions about our maintenance operations, please call 509-574-2396 between 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday.

11. What options are available if my road is not in the current program?

Each year, we work with the supplier to ensure the bulk pricing we receive for the programs is available to individuals whose roads did not make the cut.  This is only available for Yakima County roads and is not an option for non-county roads, private roads or driveways.  After you have purchased the material from the vendor, we pick it up, prepare your road and apply the material at no additional cost.   If you would like additional information or to make use of this service, please contact the Road Maintenance Supervisor at (509) 574-2396 or fill out an Online Maintenance Request Form. We will meet with you on sight, recommend a treatment area and provide pricing. We will then walk you through the steps to purchase the product directly from the vendor.

12. Why did I not receive dust abatement on my road?

Yakima County Road Maintenance conducts a visual survey and assigns a dust sensitive score to road segments every 2 years. This scoring is based on a variety of factors. Number of Homes per mile, within 300 feet of the roadway, Dust sensitive Crops per shoulder mile, within 300 feet of the roadway, Sensitive receptors (schools, gathering places, daycares, etc.) Average Daily Traffic, Posted Speed Limit, Accident Records, and land values. The number of miles we can shoot within a program year is largely dictated by the current material bid price. Material is roughly 80% of the per mile cost. If you did not receive dust abatement it is usually due to the score of your road being below the threshold of accumulative miles, we can treat, under the current year’s budget.

13. I think there may be a mistake in your survey.

There are 500 plus miles of gravel road within Yakima County.  We understand the impact this scoring has on your road with respect to it receiving treatment or not.  We strive to be as accurate in identifying homes, crops, etc., to fairly score your road.   This does not mean that we are always perfect. Our staff is always willing to discuss your road and provide the survey information to see if we have missed something.  Feel free to call us at (509) 574-2396 or fill out an Online Maintenance Request Form to discuss this with a Road Maintenance Supervisor.