City, county, state work to keep winter roads clear

A variety of equipment and technology keeps the roads around Sisters safe during the winter. State, county and city crews must work together to insure that all the roads are passable when it snows.

"We work in partnership," said Julianne Repman, spokesperson for the Oregon Department of Transportation.

Based on weather conditions, crews may plow the snow, apply cinders to the roads, or use a deicer, which leaves behind stripes of FreezeGard. The chemical in that product is magnesium chloride, which includes a rust inhibitor.

Repman says the state has "limited supplies" of FreezeGard so they use it on "trouble spots."

"We tend to use the deicer on curves, bridges, and shady areas," said Repman. "We are seeing a reduction in accidents due to the use."

She added the state began using the deicer in the mid-90s and has received positive feedback. However, she said, people still need to use caution on winter roads.

"People obviously need to slow down," Repman said.

The City of Sisters uses similar methods. City of Sisters Public Works Director Gary Frazee says the three entities work together in gathering supplies. Also, Frazee said crews will often sand or deice over another entity's roads if that crew hasn't gotten to the work yet.

"Everybody helps each other," said Frazee.

Sisters has upgraded its equipment in recent years.

"We've come a long ways," said Frazee. He noted that when Sisters bought a newer street sweeper a couple years ago, residents noticed the improvement. He said cinders used to stay on the road long after they were needed so they crushed into a fine dust.

"People had to dust often," said Frazee.

The dust also impacted the air quality and made sidewalks dirty.

Frazee assesses the weather conditions to determine how best to clear the roads. He pointed out that the deicer "doesn't do any good on a day with packed snow." Also, he added the costs must be weighed. While the deicer chemical is expensive, there is no need for clean-up after it is used.

While crews and equipment are prepared to make Sisters roads passable, the biggest factor is out of human control --weather.

So far, said Frazee, "we've had a pretty mild winter."