Date:
Thursday, December 14, 2006
Contact:
Mike Westbay, Region Communications Manager (509) 728-4712 (Yakima)
YAKIMA – WSDOT Assistant Regional Administrator for Maintenance and Operations, Casey McGill, says that all weather forecasts indicate a freezing condition later tonight and tomorrow. All state highways in Yakima and Kittitas Counties are expected to freeze and become icy. McGill suggests that drivers stay put tonight and tomorrow morning and schools should consider closing tomorrow. "Snow and ice is a challenge for drivers but black ice is much more hazardous," McGill said.
Manastash Ridge (I-82) - the stretch of I-82 crossing three ridges between Yakima and Ellensburg is considered a mountain pass. Trucks must carry chains on this stretch of highway. Drivers should prepare for winter driving conditions. Current conditions are 33 degrees, snowing, snow and slush on the roadway, traction tires are advised, oversize loads are prohibited.
Snoqualmie Pass Conditions - Currently chains are required on all vehicles except all wheel drive all the way from Denny Creek (5 miles west of the summit to Ellensburg.
Keeping Snoqualmie Pass open - If weather causes traction advisories, drivers may encounter lane restrictions (Traffic Flow Management) eastbound at Exit 34. WSDOT uses lane restrictions to slow down drivers and limit the number of vehicles per hour approaching the areas of concern. This limitation allows snow plows, emergency vehicles and tow trucks to do the hard work of clearing the road and incidents that may otherwise cause all lanes to be blocked, potentially stranding drivers and their families in locations with no services.
Chain installation Service - is a new service available to I-90 Snoqualmie Pass and US 2 Stevens Pass travelers. Private businesses and individuals are permitted to install and remove motorist-owned tire chains for a fee. The service will be available when chains are required for passenger cars or on vehicles over 10,00 gross vehicle weight rating. This is an optional service. A price list is available at www.wsdot.wa.gov/winter/chain_install.htm
The following mountain passes are closed due to seasonal high-avalanche risk. The passes are not expected to open until April or May of 2007.
* Chinook Pass (SR410) - Closed from the intersection of State Route 123 (west of the pass) to Morse Creek, 5.5 miles east of the pass.
* Cayuse Pass (SR 410/123) - Cayuse Pass is located at the junction of SR 410 and SR 123. North of the pass summit, SR 410 is closed at the Mount Rainier National Park boundary, 2 miles east of Crystal Mountain Blvd. South of the pass summit, SR 123 is closed at Steven Canyon Road. Access to the Crystal Mountain Ski resort from SR 410 remains open.
* Cascade Pass/North Cascades Highway (SR 20) - Closed from seven miles east of Diablo Dam on the west side of Rainy Pass to nine miles west of Mazama on the east side of Washington Pass.
Know before you go - For online pass reports, including video snapshots, visit: http://wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/passes/
To get travel information while you are on the road - phone 5-1-1, or tune into the highway advisory radio stations at AM 530 or AM 1610. Electronic messages, including traction advisories, chain requirements, and variable speed limits will be displayed on signs above the highway.
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