With snow in the forecast for the Forest Grove 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 in the Forest Grove and Gales Creek areas can check the map to see whether roads like Gales Creek Road, Thatcher Road or David Hill Road are on the county’s list.
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.
Streets inside Forest Grove city limits
Streets within Forest Grove city limits are handled by the city’s Streets Division, not Washington County. The city maintains about 78 miles of roadway but does not have the resources to inspect or treat all of them during a storm, the city says.
The city has identified priority routes that provide access to critical facilities, emergency services and major highways. Those streets get attention first. Residential and local access streets are serviced only after arterial and collector routes have been cleared.
For more information on city streets, call Forest Grove Public Works at 503-992-3258.
What the map doesn’t cover
State highways, including Highway 47 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.
