Operations Division: Road Maintenance

SPECIAL OPERATIONS

Special Operations works countywide, maintaining all signs, guardrails, and bridges. The crew applies road striping and pavement markings, and sprays herbicides to control noxious weeds and roadside vegetation. They also handle a variety of special projects, including installing radio towers to improve communication, building fences on county property, performing maintenance on county-owned pits, quarries, and solid waste facilities, and assisting with traffic control planning for events such as the Tulip Festival and Big Lake Fireworks.

Much of the crew's workload comes from responding to requests within Operations and from other divisions such as Solid Waste, Engineering, and the Guemes Island Ferry. They may also support Parks and Recreation and Facilities as needed.
Routine maintenance includes:

Drainage Maintenance
Cleaning and unclogging culverts, pipes, catch basins, and half-rounds to ensure proper water flow.

Bridge Inspections
Make visual inspections of bridges to identify any maintenance or repair needs. These inspections are completed in coordination with the Bridge Engineer and conducted in accordance with State requirements.

Repair and Sweep Bridges
Repair damage, deterioration, or malfunction, and sweep to remove accumulated dirt.

Replace and Repair Guardrail as needed
Replace, repair, and realign guardrail including posts and hardware typically to address accident damage, vandalism, or deterioration.

Tree Trim and Chip
Cut and remove heavy brush and tree limbs to maintain 20-30 feet of vertical clearance over the right-of-way, and sufficient horizontal clearance to ensure proper sight distance and prevent vegetation from encroaching onto the roadway.

Weed control
A state licensed applicator applies spray to all Skagit County right of way which include roadside shoulders, and all guardrails.

• No Spray Agreement.