Date:
Friday, December 15, 2006
Contact:
Alice Fiman, WSDOT Communications, (360) 570-2315 (Olympia)
OLYMPIA – With wind closing bridges and power outages to traffic signals, highway signs and traffic cameras, WSDOT expects a difficult Puget Sound morning commute.
"If you can, stay home this morning," said Ted Trepanier, State Traffic Engineer. "If you don't have to drive, don't."
With the SR 520 Evergreen Point Floating Bridge closed, travel into Seattle will be difficult. I-90 westbound express lanes will remain closed through the morning, along with the SR 104 Hood Canal Bridge. All closures will remain in place until the winds die down to levels safe enough for our crews to reopen the drawspans.
Crews hope to have the I-5 Express Lanes and SR 16 Tacoma Narrows Bridge open by 6:30 a.m. Updates will be sent as they become available.
Travel on local roads may also be difficult due to dark traffic signals. Drivers should treat any dark signal as a four-way stop.
The 5-1-1 highway information hotline is available and WSDOT advises people to keep trying if they receive a busy signal.
Downed trees and power lines have blocked lanes on several highways and cut power traffic signals and electronic highway devices. These power outages across the state are affecting WSDOT traffic flow maps, ramp meters, traffic cameras, travel times, and electronic highway message boards. On the web, traffic flow map sections appear gray or white instead of the usual black, red, yellow or green. These services will become available once power is restored.
Weather and traffic conditions are changing rapidly, for the most up-to-the-minute highway status, visit www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/weather/updates.
Washington State Ferries boat captains are approaching ferry terminals with great care. This could affect ferry schedules. Riders should check the website: www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/index.cfm. Washington State Ferry officials indicate the Anacortes to San Juans and Port Townsend to Keystone routes may be impacted by the wind.
Early this morning, crews were attempting to remove a tree down in the roadway leading to the Tacoma-area Point Defiance terminal. This tree does not impact those riders coming in from Vashon Island. In addition, there is a power outage at the Fauntleroy terminal, however boats are running on schedule.
WSDOT crews have been out throughout the night clearing roads and monitoring bridges and other structures and are working with local law enforcement and utility companies to remove power lines and debris from the roadway. Drivers are encouraged to stay back from areas where crews are working.
Weather reports indicate the winds will gradually decrease today. Concerns for later today include cooler temperatures and heavy snow expected in the mountains and snow reaching North Bend. WSDOT crews will also be ready for snow in coastal areas and on I-5 in the Everett area up through Whatcom County.
State Highway Closures:
King County
The SR 520 Evergreen Point Floating Bridge is closed to traffic. Winds are currently gusting to 63 mph. The bridge will re-open to traffic when winds are calm again. This could be as late as noon on Friday, Dec. 15, so drivers should prepare to take alternate routes during the morning commute. Crews close the bridge to traffic and open the draw span when high winds and wind gusts threaten driver and bridge safety.
Flammable Restrictions
Flammable cargo is restricted from the I-90 tunnels and I-5 under the convention center due to power outages.
Express Lanes
The I-90 express lanes will remain open in the eastbound direction due to power failure.
SR 169
Southbound SR 169 is closed at 152nd Avenue SE due to fallen trees.
I-90
Westbound I-90 at SR 18 is closed due to fallen trees.
SR 18
All lane of SR 18 at Tiger Mountain are closed due to fallen trees.
I-405
Southbound I-405 is closed at 195th due to fallen trees.
I-405
Northbound I-405 was closed near SR 181, West Valley Highway due to downed trees blocking the roadway. It was reopened at 2:10 a.m. at 12/15
SR 203
Fallen trees were blocking all lanes of SR 203 near 268th, south of Duvall. The road reopened at 11:25 p.m. 12/14
SR 202
Fallen trees were blocking all lanes of SR 202 at 220th, near Sammamish. The road reopened at 9:58 p.m. 12/14.
Snohomish County
SR 530
Both directions of SR 530 near Darrington are closed due to downed trees and powerlines.
SR 524
Both directions of SR 524 are closed from 55th Ave to 35th Ave due to downed trees.
US 2 at Sunset Falls Slide east of Gold Bar (milepost 35.7-37) We have two lanes open in the area, but speeds are limited to 35 miles per hour. Crews will continue to monitor this area.
Pierce County
TACOMA NARROWS CLOSED
SR 7 at Eatonville Hwy. (milepost 28)
Boulders and trees are blocking northbound SR 7 near the Eatonville Hwy.
SR 509 in Tacoma (milepost 1 - 2)
Blocked on SR 509 in both directions at 11TH ST since 1:30 AM, 12/15/06 until further notice
SR 161 in the Graham area (milepost 18 - 21) Trees are blocking SR 161 in the Graham area, near 224th Street East, as of 11:30 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 14.
Thurston County
U.S. 12 at the Grays Harbor County/Thurston County border (milepost 38) Power lines are blocking all lanes of U.S. 12 at the Grays Harbor County/Thurston County border, as of 2:30 a.m., Friday, Dec. 15. This closure is expected to last several hours.
Clark County
Heavy winds are blowing throughout Clark County. Crews are working hard to keep state highways clear of debris. Use caution as debris may be covering the roadways.
Cowlitz County
Heavy winds are blowing throughout Cowlitz County. Crews are working hard to keep state highways clear of debris. Use caution as debris may be covering the roadways.
Grays Harbor County
U.S. 12 at the Grays Harbor County/Thurston County border (milepost 38) Power lines are blocking all lanes of U.S. 12 at the Grays Harbor County/Thurston County border, as of 2:30 a.m., Friday, Dec. 15. This closure is expected to last several hours.
U.S. 12 in Elma (milepost 14)
Trees and a guardrail damaged by falling trees are blocking westbound U.S. 12 in Elma, as of 3:01 a.m., Friday, Dec. 15.
SR 109 near Hoquiam (milepost 14)
Trees block the southbound lanes of SR 109 near Hoquiam, as of 11 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 14.
Jefferson County
The SR 104 Hood Canal Bridge is closed to traffic. For real-time updates on Hood Canal Bridge closures, call 511 or 1-800-419-9085. WSDOT guidelines require the closure of the bridge if wind speeds reach 40 mph for 15 minutes or more. The bridge is currently closed to traffic. http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/hoodcanal/
U.S. 101, south Jefferson County to north Mason County (milepost 315 - 336) Downed trees are blocking lanes on U.S. 101 along the west bank of the Hood Canal between Eldon and Potlatch.
I-90 Snoqualmie Pass
For current pass conditions view the mountain pass report.
Kitsap County
The SR 104 Hood Canal Bridge is closed to traffic. For real-time updates on Hood Canal Bridge closures, call 511 or 1-800-419-9085. WSDOT guidelines require the closure of the bridge if wind speeds reach 40 mph for 15 minutes or more. The bridge is currently closed to traffic. http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/hoodcanal/
SR 305 in Bainbridge Island (milepost 5.2) Trees are blocking all lanes of SR 305 at Hidden Cove Road in Bainbridge Island.
Lewis County
Heavy winds are blowing throughout Lewis County.
Mason County
U.S. 101, south Jefferson County to north Mason County (milepost 315 - 336) Downed trees are blocking lanes on U.S. 101 along the west bank of the Hood Canal between Eldon and Potlatch.
SR 302 in Mason County (milepost 2.5)
Downed power lines are blocking eastbound and westbound lanes of SR 302 about 2.5 miles west of SR 16 in Mason County.
SR 106 in Mason County (milepost 4.8 - 7) A mudslide, trees and power lines are blocking SR 106 in Mason County. This route will be closed until at least Friday morning, Dec. 15.
SR 3 south of Shelton (milepost 0)
Downed trees are blocking all lanes of SR 3 near U.S. 101, as of 1:15 a.m., Friday, Dec. 15.
Pacific County
Heavy winds are blowing throughout Pacific County.
Wahkiakum County
SR 4 Closed between Cathlamet and Coal Creek Road - Cowlitz & Wahkiakum counties The highway is closed due to down trees and power lines.
SR 4, east of Grays River (mileposts 20) Single-lane closures, and intermittent complete closures while crews remove debris due to an unstable slope.
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