Date:
Monday, November 20, 2006
Contact:
Mike Westbay, Region Communications Manager (509) 577-1617 (Yakima)
HYAK – WSDOT traffic engineers have charted the typical I-90 Snoqualmie Pass Thanksgiving weekend traffic pattern. Drivers can see when the peak travel days and times have been and can make informed decisions on when they should travel to avoid long delays by visiting: www.wsdot.wa.gov/thanksgiving.
Snoqualmie Pass (I-90) - is the most traveled mountain pass in the State of Washington. On average, nearly 30,000 vehicles per day use I-90 Snoqualmie Pass to cross the Cascade Mountains. On previous holiday weekends, as many as 58,000 vehicles per day have crossed the pass. Drivers can expect delays and the length of those delays depend on what day and time they travel. After studying the historical data, traffic engineers predict that heavy traffic (long delays) will occur on Wednesday, Nov. 22, eastbound between noon and 9 p.m. and westbound between 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. The heaviest traffic (longest delays) will occur Sunday, Nov. 26, eastbound between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. and westbound between 11 a.m. and 8 p.m.
Keeping Snoqualmie Pass open - If weather causes traction advisories, drivers may encounter lane restrictions (Traffic Flow Management) eastbound at Exit 34. WSDOT uses lane restrictions to slow down drivers and limit the number of vehicles per hour approaching the areas of concern. This limitation allows snow plows, emergency vehicles and tow trucks to do the hard work of clearing the road and incidents that may otherwise cause all lanes to be blocked, potentially stranding drivers and their families in locations with no services.
"We want everyone to reach their holiday destinations safely. The most important thing drivers can do to travel safely is to drive slower." said Terry Kukes, WSDOT Maintenance Superintendent at Snoqualmie Pass.
Chain installation Service - is a new service available to I-90 Snoqualmie Pass and US 2 Stevens Pass travelers. Private businesses and individuals are permitted to install and remove motorist-owned tire chains for a fee. The service will be available when chains are required for passenger cars or on vehicles over 10,00 gross vehicle weight rating. This is an optional service. A price list is available at www.wsdot.wa.gov/winter/chain_install.htm
Manastash Ridge (I-82) - the stretch of I-82 crossing three ridges between Yakima and Ellensburg is considered a mountain pass. Trucks must carry chains on this stretch of highway. Drivers should prepare for winter driving conditions.
The following mountain passes are closed due to seasonal high-avalanche risk. The passes are not expected to open until April or May of 2007.
* Chinook Pass (SR410) - Closed from the intersection of State Route 123 (west of the pass) to Morse Creek, 5.5 miles east of the pass.
* Cayuse Pass (SR 410/123) - Cayuse Pass is located at the junction of SR 410 and SR 123. North of the pass summit, SR 410 is closed at the Mount Rainier National Park boundary, 2 miles east of Crystal Mountain Blvd. 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.
* Cascade Pass/North Cascades Highway (SR 20) - Closed from seven miles east of Diablo Dam on the west side of Rainy Pass to nine miles west of Mazama on the east side of Washington Pass.
Know before you go - For online pass reports, including video snapshots, visit: http://wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/passes/
To get travel information while you are on the road - phone 5-1-1, or tune into the highway advisory radio stations at AM 530 or AM 1610. Electronic messages, including traction advisories, chain requirements, and variable speed limits will be displayed on signs above the highway.
Manastash Ridge (I-82) - the stretch of I-82 crossing three ridges between Yakima and Ellensburg is considered a mountain pass. Trucks must carry chains on this stretch of highway. Drivers should prepare for winter driving conditions.
The following mountain passes are closed due to seasonal high-avalanche risk. The passes are not expected to open until April or May of 2007.
* Chinook Pass (SR410) - Closed from the intersection of State Route 123 (west of the pass) to Morse Creek, 5.5 miles east of the pass.
* Cayuse Pass (SR 410/123) - Cayuse Pass is located at the junction of SR 410 and SR 123. North of the pass summit, SR 410 is closed at the Mount Rainier National Park boundary, 2 miles east of Crystal Mountain Blvd. 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.
* Cascade Pass/North Cascades Highway (SR 20) - Closed from seven miles east of Diablo Dam on the west side of Rainy Pass to nine miles west of Mazama on the east side of Washington Pass.
Know before you go - For online pass reports, including video snapshots, visit: http://wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/passes/camera.aspx
To get travel information while you are on the road - phone 5-1-1, or tune into the highway advisory radio stations at AM 530 or AM 1610. Electronic messages, including traction advisories, chain requirements, and variable speed limits will be displayed on signs above the highway.
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