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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.

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.