Date:
Sunday, November 26, 2006
Contact:
Mike Westbay, WSDOT Communications, 509-728-4712
Mark Pettit, WSDOT Communications, 509-654-0509
HYAK – 5:30 p.m. UPDATE
All Lanes Opened Eastbound at Exit 47
Eastbound and Westbound Traffic Moving Slowly
Traction Tires Required, Chains Required for vehicles over 10,000 Gross Vehicle Weight, Oversized Loads Prohibited
WSDOT and the Washington State Patrol (WSP) have worked hard to clear stuck and spun-out vehicles and have now re-opened all of the Eastbound lanes of Interstate 90 over Snoqualmie pass. Due to traffic congestion, Eastbound traffic is backed up approximately one mile and traffic is traveling at 5-15 miles per hour.
3:00 p.m. UPDATE
Eastbound Lanes Temporarily Closed at MP 47
Westbound traffic is moving slowly. Traction tires are required, and chains are required for vehicles over 10,000 Gross Vehicle Weight. Oversized loads are prohibited.
WSDOT and the Washington State Patrol (WSP) are working hard to clear stuck and spun-out vehicles that have brought eastbound traffic to a standstill. All eastbound lanes are temporarily closed at Exit 47 to clear multiple collisions. No estimated time of reopening has been given
2:00 p.m. UPDATE
Traffic Heavy, Windy and Snowing Lightly
Traction Tires Advised, Oversized Loads Prohibited
Traffic is very heavy between North Bend and Cle Elum, moving between 5 and 10 mles per hour. The wind has picked up (gusts between 18 -30 miles per hour) and snow and slush are building on the roadway.
Traction tires are advised and oversize loads prohibited.
The current forecast calls for four to six inches between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. today. After 4 p.m., the snow should begin to slow down.
11:00 a.m. The snow is starting to let up at Snoqualmie Pass. Flakes seem to be dropping down rather than blowing sideways. WSDOT has changed the chain restriction limits and moved them farther east for the eastbound direction.
Drivers must be prepared to chain up now at milepost 45. The westbound chain requirements are still in place at Easton (milepost 70).
Maintenance crews report drivers are doing the right thing. They are coming to the pass prepared for difficult driving conditions. They have their chains on and are keeping speeds low. Troopers are reporting spin outs but no collisions. The majority of the spin outs are occurring east of Cle Elum. Most vehicles are able to get back on the road and continue on.
WSDOT technical experts continue to work of repairing the 511 traveler information system which went down about 8:40 a.m. Drivers hoping to use the travel alerts information can go to the web before leaving on their trip to check the current conditions at www.wsdot.wa.gov/Traffic/trafficalerts/
WSDOT engineers had estimated as many as 50,000 vehicles may cross the pass today with the bulk of drivers hitting the pass between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.
The delays predicted in the travel graphs at www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2006/11/17_SnoqualmieHolidayTravel.htm
are based on clear driving conditions. The forecasted heavy snowfall will complicate travel through the mountains. WSDOT recommends drivers determined to cross the pass during the predicted high volume (red) hours prepare for very difficult driving conditions and expect long delays. We recommend drivers determined to cross the pass at this time prepare for very difficult driving conditions and expect long delays. If drivers have more flexibility, we recommend taking alternate routes or consider delaying travel plans until after 4 p.m.
The current forecast calls for four to six inches between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. today. After 4 p.m., the snow should begin to slow down.
On Stevens Pass (US 2), traction tires are required. On White Pass (US 12), traction tires are now required. On Blewett Pass (US 97) traction tires are advised.
If we had one piece of advice for drivers, it would be this: prepare for difficult driving, blowing snow and delays. Pack extra water, food, fill your gas tank and consider traveling outside the peak commute times.
To check on current pass conditions, go to: www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/passes/
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