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WSDOT 6 a.m. – Crews Out Battling Snow and Ice on Western Washington Highways; WSDOT Activates Emergency Operations Center for Morning Commute

Date:  Tuesday, November 28, 2006

Contact: Jamie Holter, WSDOT Communications,  206.440.4788 (Seattle Traffic Center)
Lisa Murdock, WSDOT Communications 360.357.2789  (Olympia)

SEATTLE –  WSDOT crews are working around the clock clearing snow, applying sand and deicer and responding to blocking incidents.  But we are starting to see typical morning commute volumes. This could shape up to be a very tough morning.
 
Drivers should expect slick conditions across Western Washington with snow and/or ice on most highways and freeways.  WSDOT urges drivers to stay home unless they absolutely need to travel.  Here are some of the critical areas at this hour:
 

King County

  • Traffic volumes on SR 167 are starting to build .
    Three semis have spun out on SR 522 at 160th
  • The worst areas right now in the south end include I-5 and other state routes in Kent, SR 518 to northbound and southbound I-5.
  • I-5 north of Northgate is icy in places.
  • In Bellevue, ramps leading to I-405 are icy. WSDOT crews recently deiced the mainline in Bellevue.
  • I-90 east of Issaquah is tough because the wind is blowing.
  • The I-405/SR 522 interchange is getting better. We have trucks and sanders and tow trucks out there to get traffic moving again.

Pierce County

  • SR 512 closed between Tacoma and Puyallup..  Drivers can expect icy conditions on the Tacoma Narrows Bridge (SR 16).   In other locations crews report up to an inch of snow on state highways and temperatures below freezing. 
  • Difficult driving at SR 167 and SR 410

Snohomish County

  • I-405 is mostly clear. WSDOT maintenance is on the scene.
  • The rest areas at Smokey Point on northbound and southbound I-5 are still closed due to power outage.
  • Whatcom County
  • All roads north of Bellingham have compact snow and ice.  Conditions are better south of Bellingham.
  • Bellingham has low visibility and winds up to 30 miles per hour.
  • Skagit County
  • SR 9 is now open, one lane only, between SR 534 and Camp Brotherhood. The road is closed after that to Bryant Road.
  • SR 9 south of Arlington is compact snow and ice and trees are still blocking parts of lanes, Use care when traveling through the area.
  • Jefferson County
  • Chains are strongly recommended for semi-trucks on U.S. 101 between the Big Quilcene River (milepost 297) and Bee Mill Road (milepost 303) in the Mt. Walker.

Island County

  • Highway 20 south of Oak Harbor on Whidbey Island has compact snow and ice.  Drivers should watch for downed trees.
  • Thurston County
  • Congestion and difficult driving on I-5 south of Olympia. Crews report snow accumulations of up to an inch on state highways and temperatures below freezing.
  • Clallam County
  • SR 117 (Tumwater Truck Road) near Port Angeles remains closed to traffic in both directions until further notice due to snow and ice glaze.
  • Snoqualmie Pass
  • I-90 Snoqualmie Pass - traction tires advised. 

Alternate Passes
US 2 Stevens Pass – Traction tires required. Chains required on vehicles over 10,000 gross vehicle weight.

  • US 12 White Pass – traction tires required
  • US 97 Blewett Pass – traction tires advised

Interesting facts:

  • We are starting to see typical morning commute volumes. This could become a problem if drivers fail to drive for icy conditions.
  • Drivers can expect these conditions to continue into the morning commute as temperatures
  • Over a 24-hour period WSDOT has more than 190 trucks on the road in greater Puget Sound working this storm. Equipment includes snow plows, sanders, dump trucks, graders and deicers.
  • What can drivers do?
  • If you can, stay at home and wait until driving conditions improve.  If you must travel, drive for winter conditions by slowing down and keeping extra space between you and the vehicle in front of you.  If you find yourself stranded, be safe and stay in your car, put on your flashers, call for help and wait until it arrives. 
  • Check the web before you head out to get an accurate picture of conditions. www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/. 
  • Drivers can call 511 from any phone to get timely updates on the road.  If you’re on the road, have a passenger call 511 to get timely updates on the road.  You can also view our traffic page, including mountain pass reports, on your cell phone or PDA’s

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