Our responsibility is to maintaining city streets, sidewalks and public parking areas. The Street Division divides its work load during the year into two periods: Spring & Summer and Fall & Winter.

SNOW REMOVAL PROCEDURES
Icy street conditions or snow fall will initiate mobilization of deicing/sanding/plowing equipment in accordance with the following priorities:

• Priority #1 - Main arterials considered to be the minimum network which must be kept open to provide a transportation system connecting hospitals, fire stations, police stations and emergency rescue units.
  
• Priority #2 -All remaining arterials, selected collectors and bus routes.
  
• Priority #3 - Other arterials completing the network covering the major traffic volume streets and providing access to all schools.
  
• Priority #4 - All remaining streets, such as residential.

We Kindly Request Your Patience
The City has limited equipment to clear 144 miles of roads. The Street Division has 6 employees available for around the clock snow removal operations.

If snowfall or freezing rain resumes before we arrive on your street, it means we have gone back to remove additional snowfall on Priority #1 streets.

Parking on the Street
The more cars that are off the streets the faster and better job we can do clearing the roadway. If you have a driveway, please use move your vehicle off the street.

Blocked Driveways
It is inevitable that driveways will be blocked during plowing operations. We're sorry for this inconvenience, but please be understanding that it cannot be avoided. Snow removal can be a monumental task with our limited equipment, and the street crews will do their best around the clock to get the roads cleared.

How You Can Help
Report potholes and icey intersections by calling 360-417-4825. If you reach a voice mail, Please leave the information. The supervisor will be monitoring these messages from the field.

Thank you from your Public Works & Utilities Street Division

GUIDE TO TRIMMING TREES ALONG CITY STREETS
The Streets Division asks for the public's cooperation in keeping trees located along City streets trimmed correctly. This applies to trees located in the space between the street and sidewalk.

This graphic shows the areas above the street and sidewalks that need to be kept clear of all limbs and branches. Keeping this area clear allows pedestrians and cars to avoid contact with branches and also provides a clear line of sight. Residents are encouraged to do the trimming if they wish. Otherwise, City crews will need to come in and do the work, which might be done without as much artistic touch as a homeowner would consider doing.

Click to view larger image size.
The areas with diagonal lines show where this tree would need to be trimmed back to

So, please take a few moments and see if these trees have branches that need trimming. If they do, and you wish to do the work, it is suggested to complete it as soon as you can. Thank you for your cooperation and assistance.

BIKE BOXES on FIRST STREET
The First Street Stormwater Separation Project is completed. Last component installed is a feature called Bike Boxes. Bike Boxes help direct bicycles so that they can better maneuver with traffic, resulting in a more efficient and safer traffic flow. The aim of these new measures is to encourage more cycling by creating a safer, more comfortable road environment.

What is a bike box? The bike box is an intersection safety design to prevent bicycle/car collisions. It is a painted green space on the road with a white bicycle symbol inside. In some locations it includes a green bicycle lane approaching the box. The box creates space between motor vehicles and the crosswalk that allows bicyclists to position themselves ahead of motor vehicle traffic at an intersection.

Why are bike boxes being installed? The main goal of the bike box is to improve safety by 1- increasing awareness and visibility of cyclists; 2- helping cyclists make safer intersection crossings - especially when drivers are turning and bicyclists are going straight; 3 – encouraging cyclists to make more predictable approaches to and through an intersection; and 4 – providing space at the front of an intersection to help cyclists avoid breathing vehicle fumes.

What motorists should know
When the traffic signal is yellow or red, motorists must stop behind the white stop line. Don't stop on top of the green bike box. Keep it clear for cyclists to use. Typically at bike box locations, right turns on red will not be permitted.

When the light turns green, motorists and cyclists may move through the intersection as usual, with cyclists going first. Motorists turning right on green should signal and watch for cyclists to the right, especially in the green bike lane in the intersection.

What bicyclists should know

• When the traffic signal is yellow or red, enter the bike box from the approaching green bike lane.
• Stop before the crosswalk.
• When the light is green, proceed as normal. Be aware of right-turning motorists, especially while in the green bike lane in the intersection.

How to use bike boxes if you are …
A Cyclist - When the light is red or turning red, enter the bike box along the bike lane. Once you are in the bike box, position yourself according to the direction you are intending to go.

Turning left: Move to the left of the bike box and signal that you're turning left.
Going through: Position yourself in front of the through lane.
Turning right: Move close to the right edge of the roadway and signal that you're turning right.

How to use bike boxes if you are …
A Motorist - When the signal is red, you should stop at the stop line marked on the road. The stop line will be located just before the green box.

See a how to use a bike box video from Portland: http://www.streetfilms.org/portland-green-bike-box/

CATCH BASIN MAINTENANCE - How You Can Help
Melting snow and heavy rainstorms can rapidly lead to sand, leaves, and debris covering catch basins and blocking the flow of stormwater, resulting in flooding on streets and/or nearby driveways.

Residents can help by removing debris off of catch basin grates at street corners in their neighborhood. Any assistance the citizens of Port Angeles can provide in keeping catch basins open and free of debris during storm events will be very much appreciated.

~ Thank you from the Public Works & Utilities Department ~

• Paving Plans
• Pot Holes
• Side Walk Repairs
• Sweeping
• Alleys
• Mowing

Fall to Winter
Projects and Regular Maintenance

• Snow Removal Procedures
• Sidewalk Cleaning
• Sanding
• Anti-icing
• Pot Hole Repair
• Drainage
• Signs

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"PORT ANGELES - THE AUTHENTIC NORTHWEST"
321 East 5th Street - P.O. Box 1150 / Port Angeles, WA 98362
Phone: 360-457-0411 / TTY: 360-417-4645
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