Road crews for both cities and King County were out in force Thursday trying to clear roads for motorists.

Covington Public Works Director Glenn Akramoff said his staff has been working round the clock since Saturday morning. Day crews worked to keep arterials cleared as well as going through neighborhoods and side streets to make it easy for folks to get from door to door. Night crews have worked to prepare commute routes to make it easier for residents to get to work.

“Currently our arterials are wet with some ice in spots,” Akramoff said. “Our residential streets are compact snow and ice but our day shift is working hard on those. Covington is doing pretty well compared to other parts of the region as far as (snow) totals.”

Road crews will continue to be out during the next few days as snow remains in the forecast over the weekend.

Akramoff said his staff will keep de-icing, sanding, plowing and salting roads until the snow passes. Forecasts show the weather returning to the low 40s and rain on Christmas Eve.

“We’re also working with our neighbors in Maple Valley and we work closely with King County,” Akramoff said. “Our maintenance staff, they’re doing well, they’re in good spirits and we’ve gotten a lot of feedback from our community.”

They’re working to be ready for any other potential circumstances that could arise out of the changing weather such as flooding as weather warms up or freezing rain or wind storms.

“We’re trying to prepare for all of those things,” Akramoff said.

Meanwhile King County transportation officials are encouraging motorists to stay off the roads if possible as county crews work to sand major roadways in unincorporated areas.

Snow continues to fall in many areas of the county, and road conditions are not improving.

Snow began falling late last night on icy streets throughout the county including Maple Valley and Covington.

In response, King County’s Road Services Division has about 50 pieces of snow removal equipment working the region, 25 tons of salt and about 8,000 cubic yards of sand to battle the snow and ice.