Date:
Wednesday, February 15, 2006
Contact:
Olympia: Fred Chang, (360) 705-7078
Seattle: Stan Suchan, (206) 440-4698
Spokane: Al Gilson, (509) 324-6015
Tumwater: Lisa Murdock, (360) 357-2789
Vancouver: Sylvia Ross, (360) 905-2058
Wenatchee: Jeff Adamson, (509) 667-2815
Yakima: Mike Westbay, (509) 577-1617
Aviation: Nisha Hanchinamani, (360) 651-6312
Ferries: Susan Harris-Huether, (206) 515-3460
Public Transportation & Rail: Theresa Gren, (360) 705-7904
OLYMPIA – Most state and federal government offices will be closed on Monday, Feb. 20, 2006 to observe the Presidents’ Day holiday. With continuing winter conditions expected, the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) would like to remind motorists to check for the latest road and weather conditions before setting out on their holiday travels.
For general information, camera images, roadway temperatures and weather conditions, pleased visit the WSDOT traveler information web site at: www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic
For the most recent updates about highway closures and roadway conditions resulting from winter weather, please visit www.wsdot.wa.gov/Traffic/Weather/updates/.
State Highways
WSDOT’s Incident Response teams (IRT) are on call 24/7 to provide traffic control, detours and clean-up at major incidents. IRT can help motorists with flat tires, dead batteries, or overheated engines to quickly and safely get motorists back on the road.
Motorists may encounter delays or roadway changes in the following highways:
- I-5 in Tacoma (Pierce County)
The ramp from South 38th Street to northbound I-5 is closed through summer 2006.
- I-90 Snoqualmie Pass (King County/Kittitas County)
WSDOT maintenance crews and avalanche experts perform periodic avalanche control work on the Snoqualmie Pass as needed. During periods of heavy snowfall, WSDOT may activate a traffic flow management plan for eastbound traffic. By restricting traffic to a single lane prior to the snow conditions, we are encouraging a controlled, steady flow of traffic over the pass.
- US 97A, between Wenatchee and Lake Chelan (Chelan County)
US 97A is closed at the Knapps Hill Tunnel between Entiat and Lake Chelan for a construction project to reline the tunnel. There's a detour in place utilizing SR 971, the Navarre Coulee Road and South Lakeshore Drive . Visit the project web page for more information: www.wsdot.wa.gov/Regions/NorthCentral/projects/US97A_ChelanTunnel3/
- US 101 near the Grays Harbor and Pacific county lines
Roadway settling prompted a 10 mph speed limit through the area.
- US 101, Butte Creek vicinity (Pacific County)
The northbound lane between Butte and Smith Creek roads is closed due to settling. A detour is in place.
- SR 4, Stella (Cowlitz County/Wahkiakum County)
SR 4 is open on a limited basis to single-lane alternating traffic every two hours on the hour, starting at 8 a.m. for fifteen minutes. For opening times, please visit: www.wsdot.wa.gov/Regions/SouthWest/news/2006/02/12_SR4Opening.htm.
- SR 9 near Acme, east of Bellingham (Whatcom County)
SR 9 is closed south of Acme, just north of Doran Road (mile post 69.5). Drivers are urged to use I-5 as an alternate to SR 9.
- SR 14 near Prindle (Skamania County)
WSDOT crews are monitoring severe settling in the eastbound lane (near mp 27). Warning signs alert drivers to the gravel placed to fill the settlement.
- SR 112, Multiple Locations (Clallam County)
Winter storms caused shoulder erosion at several locations on SR 112, and emergency repairs are underway. During repair work, the roadway is open to one lane of alternating flagged traffic.
- SR 504 East of Coldwater Lake (Cowlitz County)
This section of highway has been closed since December 2nd due to snow and ice conditions and the possibility of avalanches. It will reopen in the spring when no more significant snowfall will occur.
- SR 530, near Oso (Snohomish County)
WSDOT crews are monitoring a hillside on State Route 530 between Arlington and Darrington near the town of Oso. If the road has to be closed, the detour route between Darrington and I-5 will be via SR 20.
Mountain Passes
The following mountain passes are closed due to seasonal high-avalanche risk. The passes are not expected to open until April or May of 2006. For updates on Washington State’s mountain pass highways dial 5-1-1. Online pass reports, including video snapshots, are available at: www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/passes
- North Cascades Highway (SR 20)
Closed from seven miles east of Diablo Dam (milepost 134) on the west side of Rainy Pass to nine miles west of Mazama (milepost 171) on the east side of Washington Pass.
- Cayuse Pass (SR 410/123)
Cayuse Pass is located at the junction of SR 410 and SR 123. North of the summit, SR 410 is closed from south of Crystal Mountain Blvd. at the Mount Rainier National Park boundary. South of the pass summit, SR 123 is closed at Steven Canyon Road. Access to the Crystal Mountain Ski Resort from SR 410 remains open.
- Chinook Pass (SR410)
Closed from the intersection of SR 123 (west of the pass) to Morse Creek, east of the summit (east of the pass).
Private Aircraft Travel
Ten of the 16 state-operated airports are currently closed for the season. They are expected to remain closed until Spring 2006. To check the status of state-operated airports, visit: www.wsdot.wa.gov/aviation/airports/Amenities.htm or call 1.800.552.0666.
WSDOT Aviation encourages pilots to check with their local Flight Service Station for current Notices to Airmen (NOTAMS) and temporary flight restriction (TFR) status before each flight. To contact the Flight Service Station, please call 1.800.WX.BRIEF.
TFR information is available at: www.airspace.nifc.gov/mapping/nifc/index.cfm.
Rail/Public Transportation
Amtrak Cascades trains frequently sell out over holiday weekends. Be sure to purchase your tickets well in advance and arrive early at the station for your departure. For more information, visit www.AmtrakCascades.com or call 1-800-USA-RAIL.
Buses
Many public transit systems will run on a Sunday or Holiday schedule on February 20, 2006 with some routes not operating. Please contact your local transit system for specific route and schedule information.
Washington State Ferries
The Point Defiance/Tahlequah (South Vashon) ferry route will be closed for terminal maintenance over Presidents' Day holiday weekend, Feb. 18-20. People wishing to go to Vashon Island during the closure should plan to use the ferries providing service to the north end of Vashon Island from Fauntleroy or Southworth.
To assist with traffic over the busy holiday weekend, the M/V Quinault, which is currently running from Point Defiance to Tahlequah, will operate from Southworth to Vashon on Saturday and Sunday. This is in addition to the regular weekend two-boat schedule.
On Monday, Feb. 20, the Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth route will be on a regular three-boat weekday schedule with no additional service. Also on Feb. 20, all other routes will be on a regular Monday schedule.
For additional ferry information visit: www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/.
What Motorists Can Do to Promote Safe Winter Travel
WSDOT encourages motorists to prepare for safe winter travel. Winter driving safety improves when motorists:
- Allow extra travel time.
- Know the current road conditions – call 511 or visit WSDOT’s traveler website: www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/
- Be prepared. Fill the gas tank, and check the levels of other fluids such as windshield washer fluid, anti-freeze and motor oil. Check tires, lights, car battery and wiper blades. Check cell phones.
- Carry water, food, blankets, first aid kits, medications, jumper cables, cat litter or sand, a shovel, ice scraper, warm clothes, flashlights and extra batteries.
- Listen to radio reports for advisory information. Tune radio to 530 AM or 1610 AM for roadway conditions.
- Wear seat belts and make sure all passengers also “buckle up.”
For additional safe winter driving tips, visit: www.wsdot.wa.gov/winter/
511 Travel Information
Real-time traffic and weather information is available by dialing 5-1-1 from most phones. 511 is updated every few minutes and provides callers with a variety of information:
- Puget Sound traffic conditions
- Statewide construction impacts
- Incident information
- Mountain pass conditions
- State's ferry system information
- 800 numbers for passenger rail and airlines
- Weather
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