Date:
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
Contact:
Greg Phipps, WSDOT Communications, (206) 437-6314
SEATTLE – Most Puget Sound highways saw lighter traffic volumes than normal during the evening commute, with many drivers staying off the roads today. WSDOT crews are still out plowing, sanding and deicing to keep the roads clear for the morning commute. Crews are also monitoring the roads to look for areas that have iced over as temperatures drop.
Drivers should continue to watch for patches of ice on ramps and in shady areas along the freeway. Before heading out for the morning commute, drivers can check the Web for the latest road conditions.
How can drivers find the latest information on the highways they plan to travel?
- Check the Web before you head out to get an accurate picture of conditions. www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/
- Drivers can go to our Highway Weather Update web page for the most updated information on all roads across Washington State: www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/weather/updates
- Drivers can call 5-1-1 from any phone to get timely updates on the road. If you’re on the road, have a passenger call 5-1-1 to get timely updates on the road. You can also view our traffic page, including mountain pass reports, on your cell phone or PDA at: www.wsdot.wa.gov/small
What can drivers do?
- In areas where snow and ice is at its worst, don’t travel if you don’t need to.
- Drive for winter conditions. Drivers should slow down and keep extra space between their car and the vehicle in front of them.
- If traveling over a mountain pass, carry chains.
- If you find yourself stranded, be safe and stay in your car, put on your flashers, call for help and wait until it arrives.
- If you are looking for your abandoned car, call (425) 649-4370, ext. 233
What about freezing temperatures and ice on the roadways?
- As with snow, don’t travel if you don’t have to.
- Anti-icer does not work below 25 degrees. The chemicals can prevent or melt anything 25 degrees and over, but not below that.
- Sand does not work when the ice sheet is solid. It just blows off the slick surface.
- When traffic volumes are at normal levels it prohibits our plows from being able to properly treat the roads.
Here are the current trouble areas:
Whatcom County
- Both directions of SR 539 (Guide Meridian) near Lynden were closed at SR 546 due to a disabled semi. Crews cleared the semi and the road reopened at 7:30 this evening.
- Chains are required on SR 542 (Mt. Baker Highway).
- All roads north of Bellingham have compact snow and ice, with drifting wind gusts. Conditions are better south of Bellingham.
King County
- Crews have sanded and plowed the on and off-ramps on I-90 at North Bend Way.
- Drivers should watch out for patches of ice in shady areas along freeways and on ramps in King County.
- Despite continued applications of deicer, compact snow and ice remains on many of the roads and could get more slick as temperatures drop.
Snohomish County
- The rest areas at Smokey Point on northbound and southbound I-5 are still closed due to power outage.
- Watch for compact snow and ice on SR 9, SR 522 and US 2.
- Many of the roads have begun to dry out, but as temperatures drop they will re-freeze.
Skagit County
- Many roads are bare and wet, but well sanded. Many others still have compact snow and ice. It is extremely cold and getting colder. Drivers should watch for patches of ice.
Kitsap County
- SR 3 looks good, but motorists should watch for compact snow and ice in shady areas near the vicinities of Austin (mileposts 39-40), Clear Creek (milepost 45), the SR 3/SR 308 interchange (mileposts 49-50), Finn Hill (milepost 52), and the off-ramp from SR 3 to SR 305 (milepost 13). Additionally, drivers will see slush and compact snow on the centerline of SR 3 from milepost 53 to the Hood Canal Bridge (milepost 36).
Lewis County
- Most roads are bare and wet, but drivers should watch for icy patches as temperatures drop.
- I-5 is bare and wet; traffic is going by at a slower than usual pace, but smoothly.
- US 12 and SR 6 are mostly wet with slush in some higher elevations.
- SR 508 bare and wet with some compact snow in places.
Snoqualmie Pass
- I-90 Snoqualmie Pass - No restrictions
Alternate Passes
- US 2 Stevens Pass - Traction tires advised. Oversized vehicles prohibited.
- US 12 White Pass - Traction tires advised. Oversized vehicles prohibited.
- US 97 Blewett Pass - no restrictions
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