With snow in the forecast for the Banks area, here’s what to know about which roads Washington County will and won’t clear.
Washington County maintains about 426 miles of road on designated snow plow and ice control routes, the county says. But not every road makes the list, and neighborhood streets are generally last in line.
The county prioritizes roads in this order:
- Routes connecting critical buildings and emergency services
- Major corridors
- Neighborhood streets, which are addressed only after higher-priority roads are cleared, and only outside of extreme conditions
An interactive map from the county shows exactly which roads are on the designated routes. Residents on rural roads outside Banks, including county roads like NW Banks Road and NW Sellers Road, can check the map to see whether their road is covered.
The county uses anti-icing agents applied before storms arrive, sand once cold weather sets in and snow plows as needed. Washington County does not use road salt, citing cost and environmental impact on roads and vehicles.
Some roads are too narrow for county plow and sanding equipment.
What the map doesn’t cover
State highways, including Highway 26 and Highway 6, are maintained by the Oregon Department of Transportation, not Washington County. For current conditions on state highways, check TripCheck.com.
The county also maintains three Snow Zones on portions of 175th Avenue, Barnes Road and Cornell Road, where flashing lights are activated during severe weather. When those lights are on, chains or traction tires are legally required.
For real-time road closures, check wc-roads.com.
Residents can request service by calling 503-846-ROAD (7623) or submitting an online request through the county website, though priority routes remain the focus.
