WSDOT News

text size: T T T

WSDOT 2 p.m. - WSDOT Crews Work to Keep Traffic Moving During the Afternoon Commute

Date:  Wednesday, November 29, 2006

Contact: Meghan Soptich, WSDOT Communications, (206) 440-4788 (Seattle)
Lisa Murdock, WSDOT Communications, (360) 357-2789 (Olympia)

SEATTLE - As snow begins to fall, WSDOT crews are preparing for the worst to keep traffic moving during this afternoon’s commute. Crews will continue to focus on major problem areas such as ramps and overpasses throughout the afternoon. While most of the major Puget Sound highways remain free of snow and ice, WSDOT reminds drivers to use caution while driving home.

WSDOT asks drivers to be prepared for snow:

  • Fill your gas tank before you leave this afternoon
  • Pack extra water and food in case you can’t make it all the way home.
  • Consider leaving early or staying late to miss the rush home, especially if rush hour includes snow.

 
These are the current trouble spots:

South King County

  • SR 167, I-5 and I-405 look good.
  • The ramps to the highways still have some compact snow and ice.  Drivers should use caution and watch for slick areas.
  • SR 900 still has some compact snow and ice.
  • The biggest challenges in south King County have been SR 516 and SR 518.
  • We have 18 trucks and 24 people working 12-hour shifts in this area.

Central and North King County

  • From I-90 to the Snohomish County line, we have 25 trucks and 25 people working 12-hour shifts.
  • We have solid and liquid deicer to use if needed.
  • We will keep the I-5 express lanes open all night and switch them to the southbound direction at midnight. Doing this allows our plows to maintain the roads and the entrance areas.

Snohomish County

  • Temperatures range from 15 to 25 degrees and snow is falling.
  • Our biggest challenge has been SR 522. We have used a lot of our resources to keep the area clear.
  • We are applying deicer in selected spots this afternoon in preparation for the evening commute.
  • Some incident response crews are working a split shift, and sleeping now so they can return later today.
  • We have 12 people working 12-hour shifts in Snohomish County.

Whatcom County

  • Temperatures are hovering around 13 degrees.  Snow is coming down.
  • The ramps are still icy. It is so cold the ice is binding to the pavement and refusing to come up.
  • I-5 from Bellingham to the border is compact snow and ice with tire ruts in the snow.
  • Tonight we will have 12 trucks and 24 people working 12-hour shifts.
  • We have spent the day applying solid deicer to the roads.
  • There is compact snow and ice on Mt. Baker Highway (SR 542) and traction tires are required. 

Skagit County

  • We have compact snow and ice on all secondary highways and snow is coming down.
  • We’ve used 15,000 cubic yards of sand during this winter storm.
  • Our biggest challenge has been falling trees and limbs. Our crews have been cutting trees for three days.
  • We have spent the day using liquid deicer and sand in combination on the worst areas as we prepare for tonight’s snow.
  • We will have 15 trucks and 24 people working 12-hour shifts in this area.

Snoqualmie Pass

  • Bare with snow and ice in places.  No restrictions on I-90 Snoqualmie Pass. 

Alternate Passes

  • US 2 Stevens Pass – Compact snow and ice on the roadway and traction tires advised. Oversized vehicles prohibited.
  • US 12 White Pass – Bare with compact snow and ice in places.  Traction tires advised. Oversized vehicles prohibited.
  • US 97 Blewett Pass – Bare and dry with no restrictions.

Conditions of other State Routes:

Lewis County

  • Roads are looking good.

Pierce County

  • Conditions are good. No closures and no trouble spots.

Jefferson County

  • Roads are looking good.

Thurston County

  • Traffic and roads looking good.

Clallam County

  • No closures at this time.

Interesting facts:

  • If your vehicle was towed off a state highway during the storm, WSP has a number to call: 425.649.4370 ext. 233.
  • WSDOT is not metering ramps in the greater Seattle/Bellevue area

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 at www.wsdot.wa.gov/small.

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.

                                         ###


< Back to News Home

Copyright WSDOT © 2008