City of Lacey prepares road deicing measures ahead of winter

The City of Lacey has expanded its snowplow routes and increased on-call staffing for the 2026-27 winter season.

The changes are part of its preparations to address icy roads and improve travel conditions during winter weather. 

Lacey Transportation Supervisor Scott Johnston presented an annual snow and ice response update to the Lacey City Council at a meeting on Monday, Nov. 2. 

The updated plow routes include newly annexed areas near 15th Avenue and Draham Road. Major arterials receive priority during snowstorms so fire, police and medical vehicles can travel through the city. 

Secondary routes receive service after major arterials when time allows. Neighborhood streets may also be plowed if time permits. 

Road treatment 

Lacey makes its own salt brine at its pit site, mixing purchased salt with water. The site stores up to 160 tons of salt.  

According to Johnston, the brine process uses about 23 percent less salt than applying dry salt alone. As a result, less salt eventually runs off into stormwater systems and waterways. Workers spray brine on dry pavement before freezing temperatures arrive. 

Johnston said the timing is important because rainfall can wash away the deicer before temperatures drop.  

“The idea behind the deicer, its primary idea, is to get that deicer on a dry road so that the ice can’t adhere to it. That’s the biggest thing that you try to do,” Johnston said. “If you can get that down, it starts working the second it hits the ground. It doesn’t allow it to bond to the road. It’s easier to plow.” 

When rain prevents pretreatment, workers can apply brine to icy roads before sand trucks follow to improve traction. Johnston said the city uses this method at roundabouts, while sand also helps vehicles navigate slippery intersections. 

The city also stores two types of salt. Workers mix regular salt with sand, while a second supply contains magnesium chloride. Johnston said the magnesium chloride blend remains effective at temperatures as low as minus 20 degrees. 

During prolonged winter weather, the city can assign workers to overnight on-call duty. Otherwise, police can report hazardous road conditions, prompting Johnston to contact available drivers. 

Winter access 

Council member Ryan Siu asked whether plows service sections of Mullen Road, Carpenter Road and Martin Way outside of highlighted routes.  

Johnston said highlighted routes reflect areas of city responsibility. Operators also plow adjacent county road sections while traveling between assigned routes, including a portion of Carpenter Road near the Thurston County Fairgrounds. 

“We’ll never pick a plow blade up. It just makes it more dangerous for people. If we’re going between those locations, we’ll keep the plow blade down,” Johnston said. 

Council member Maren Turner asked whether the city removes snow from sidewalks for pedestrians walking to bus stops. 

Johnston confirmed that Lacey does not have a sidewalk snow removal program, although parks department workers remove snow around public facilities, including city hall and the library. 

Homeowners associations can arrange private snowplowing through an existing city program. Johnston said participants must follow city requirements intended to prevent damage to pavement reflectors attached to roads. 

Johnston also advised motorists to slow down on icy roads, accelerate gradually, increase following distances and allow additional time to stop.