County will close dirt roads Nov. 14

The county public works department is instituting its annual closure of dirt roads beginning Nov. 14. The roads are scheduled to re-open March 13, 2017.

The list this year includes 95 dirt roads throughout the county to be closed during the winter months. The roads are closed to vehicular traffic unless a permit is obtained from the office of the Whitman County engineer.

The department also issued its annual reminder about winter snow and ice removal this week.

The letter clarifies the department policies regarding winter snow and ice control. The county has a priority order for paved roads, followed by a second priority of remaining school bus and mail routes. The third priority is other access routes.

Priorities two and three are not actually plowed unless there are six inches of snow or if drifting conditions exist.

“We will start getting our snow equipment ready,” said Public Works Director Mark Storey, noting there is usually snow by the end of October or early in November.

The letter, which the public works department sent to schools and post offices, stated that weekend work regarding snow conditions will be completed at the discretion of road superintendents.