Date:
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
Contact:
Chris Christopher, WSDOT Maintenance, (360) 705-7851
Melanie Coon, WSDOT Communications, (360) 705-7078
OLYMPIA – With another round of high winds and snow in the forecast for Western Washington and mountain passes, WSDOT is fine tuning its preparation plans, identifying areas traditionally known for needing extra attention, as well as updating travel information resources for drivers.
High winds and floating bridges
High winds are in the forecast for the Washington coast and Puget Sound Thursday evening into Friday morning. During high winds, WSDOT closely monitors bridges such as the SR 520 Evergreen Point Bridge, the Tacoma Narrows Bridge and the Hood Canal Bridge. Crews will close the bridges to traffic if they become unsafe for drivers or if high winds create a potential for structural damage. WSDOT crews also work closely with the Washington State Patrol and local utilities to clear trees and other debris from the roadway.
Keeping the mountain passes open
The mountain passes are also expected to receive large amounts of snow on Thursday and Friday and additional plow crews are being mobilized from other parts of the state to help battle the adverse snow conditions on I-90 Snoqualmie and US 2 Stevens Pass. If tire chains are required to travel over the passes, chain installers will be on hand to install tire chains on vehicles for a fee.
Snow forecasted in lower elevations
Multiple weather forecasts are calling for the possibility of snow Friday afternoon in the I-5 Puget Sound convergence zone, the vicinity in and around north King County and south Snohomish County. WSDOT crews will apply anti-icer on highway locations most vulnerable to snow and ice. WSDOT is prepared to respond in the Puget Sound and other areas, clearing snow and ice, monitoring roads and bridges, and helping drivers get where they need to go.
WSDOT is your first and best source for traveler information
Based upon current weather forecasts, drivers should be prepared for foul weather during peak travel periods on Thursday and Friday. With the Seahawks hosting the San Francisco 49ers Thursday, drivers should prepare for heavy traffic and potential highway closures Thursday night. During the Seahawks game, WSDOT will have its traffic operations center fully staffed to quickly to respond to multiple issues or widespread events.
In addition to getting traveler information through the media, electronic roadway message signs and Highway Advisory Radio (HAR) messages, drivers have multiple ways of getting information about road closures and trouble spots:
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