Date:
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
Contact:
Sylvia Ross, WSDOT Communications, 360-852-2537 (Vancouver)
Alissa Bateman, WSDOT Communications, 360-600-2081 (Vancouver)
VANCOUVER – With freezing rain in the forecast for parts of Clark County and the Columbia River Gorge, Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) maintenance crews are prepared. WSDOT reminds motorist to try to avoid travel if possible during the night-time and early morning hours.
Maintenance crews continue to work around the clock. The nighttime maintenance crew will work from 6 p.m. to 4 a.m., monitoring roadways throughout the area, particularly in the Columbia River Gorge. The next maintenance shift begins at 4 a.m., ensuring the roadways are as prepared as possible for morning commuters.
Maintenance crews have nine trucks available in Clark County to help prevent ice on state highways. Of the nine trucks, six are ready for the use of solid de-icer, while three are ready to go with liquid anti-icer/ de-icer. The nine trucks will be sent to the problematic areas of Clark County; in the event of a widespread storm, the trucks will be dispersed throughout the county, but focusing on major highways such as I-5 and I-205.
Interesting Facts
- 200-300 pounds of de-icer is used per lane mile.
- Up to 400 pounds of de-icer is used per lane mile in the worst conditions.
- In bad weather conditions, highways require multiple applications of the de-icing materials.
- Anti-icing chemicals may not work to their full effect in conditions below 25 degrees.
- When the ice sheet over the roadway is solid, sand does not work as well – it blows off the slick surface.
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. Driver should slow down and keep extra space between you and the vehicle in front of you.
- If you don’t have chains, try to stay off the roadway during freezing rain events.
- 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.
How can motorists 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’s.
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Editor’s Note: To schedule a ride along with maintenance crews or to tour WSDOT’s maintenance facilities, contact Alissa Bateman at (360) 905-2078.
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