Lakewood Roads Mostly Clear, But Caution Recommended

LAKEWOOD-JBLM, WA — Frigid temperatures and the possibility of more snow have led to a number of closures Monday in Lakewood. As of 1 p.m. Monday, the National Weather reports that it is 20 degrees in Lakewood.

The National Weather Service issued a Hazardous Weather Conditions statement, warning of “Accumulating snowfall, bitterly cold temperatures and gusty winds will affect the western U.S. and northern Plains into tonight.”

Pierce County Public Works said that it will be running a 24-hour operation with 28 snow plows on primary snow routes, six trucks to assist with isolated incidents, and three motor grade workers for high-elevation areas. The public works department said that on Sunday night and Monday morning, it applied a solid de-icer to main snow plow routes, and will monitor the roads for 24 hours.

All LRI sites are closed Monday, Pierce County said.

In Lakewood, arterial roads are in drivable condition, the city said, but warned drivers against patches of ice. Now that the main roads are clear, plows are clearing and salting third priority routes, the city said. Drivers are advised not to try to pass plow trucks. Lakewood snow and ice response priority map can be viewed here. Check here for traffic conditions and closures.

The front desk at Lakewood City Hall is not staffed Monday, but the city said that it can be reached by phone at 253-589-2489 until 5 p.m. Lakewood schools are already closed for winter break.

The Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department closed its Bonney Lake Park and Ride, Canyon Road sites, and Cheney Stadium COVID-19 testing sites are also closed.

Joint Base Lewis-McChord said that only essential military personnel are required to report for duty, and early morning training was canceled. A full list of closures and delays can be found on the JBLM MWR Facebook page, or by calling the JBLM operational hotline at 253-967-1733.

Updates will continue throughout the day on the Pierce County Public Works Facebook and Twitter pages, and the Lakewood municipal Facebook page.

Through Dec. 31, a number of local shelters in Tacoma and Puyallup are expanding overnight capacity. A full list can be seen on the Tacoma Pierce County Coalition to End Homelessness website. The Lighthouse Activity Center and the Tacoma Rescue Mission are offering warming shelters and extended hours during the day, and Pierce Transit is offering free rides to them throughout the day.

Snow of less than half an inch is expected to accumulate Tuesday night, according to the National Weather Service. Temperatures will inch up Tuesday, with a high near 31, calm winds, and a 30 percent chance of snow, will little to no accumulation predicted. Temperatures are expected to remain below freezing until Thursday.

Residents are advised to stay home if possible. Anyone driving is advised to slow down, allow extra time, clear snow off windows, and put extra distance between the vehicle in front. Washington State Police said that on Sunday, troopers responded to 166 collisions in Pierce and Thurston counties.

Updates will continue throughout the day on the Pierce County Public Works Facebook and Twitter pages.

Yesterday, troopers responded to 166 (!!) collisions in @PierceCo and @ThurstonCounty

Speeds too fast for the snowy and icy road conditions were the main reason for many spin-out collisions!

Let’s try to stay safer today! Please slow down on the icy and snowy roads 👍 #WeCare pic.twitter.com/M6OkmJL4yj
— Trooper Robert Reyer (@wspd1pio) December" class="redactor-linkify-object">https://twitter.com/wspd1pio/s... 27, 2021