Date:
Friday, December 15, 2006
Contact:
Contacts: Melanie Coon, WSDOT Communications 360-705-7078 (Olympia), 360-507-4242 (cell)
OLYMPIA – The winds have receded and WSDOT crews worked overnight and through the morning hours to clear debris, restart signals and reopen highways through out Western Washington. The Hood Canal Bridge and the Tacoma Narrows Bridge were reopened to traffic earlier this morning and bridge crews hope to have the SR 520 Evergreen Point Floating Bridge open around the noon hour today, following minor repairs. Power outages across the state continue to affect our Internet traffic flow maps, ramp meters, travel times, electronic highway message boards, and 511Traveler Information System.
At the height of the wind storm early Friday morning, more than 20 state highways were closed or had lane restrictions. As of 11 a.m., a handful of highways are closed or have lane restrictions:
Grays Harbor County
SR 109 Copalis vicinity (milepost 23)
One lane is blocked due to a downed tree.
King County
SR 520 Evergreen Point Floating Bridge is now open. (Updated: 1:30pm)
Crews closed the Evergreen Point Bridge Thursday evening at 10:05 p.m., due to high winds. When crews opened the drawspan of the SR 520 Bridge on Thursday, three of the hooks that connect the spans were sheared off by wave action. This is not unusual and is easily repaired. When winds decreased crews started repair work and scanning the bridge for damage.
SR 900 near Issaquah
Eastbound SR 900 is closed just east of May Valley Road near Issaquah. Debris is blocking the roadway.
Klickitat County
SR 141 near Trout Lake (milepost 20-24)
SR 141 is blocked by trees and power lines between milepost 20 and 24, near Trout Lake.
Mason County
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 had previously blocked SR 106 in Mason County. Alternating, single-lane traffic has now been established.
SR 3 at Grapeview Loop Road (milepost 18.5)
Power lines down and a fire are blocking SR 3 near Grapeview Loop Road. The road remains closed to traffic.
Pacific County
SR 105 near North Cove
One lane of SR 105 near North Cove (milepost 23) is closed. Power lines are covering the lane that is closed. Signs are in place alerting motorists to the lane closure.
Pierce County
SR 12 between Neah Bay and Sekiu (milepost 11.3)
At this location between Neah Bay and Sekiu, water is over the highway and caution signs have been erected.
Skagit County
SR 9 at Pilchuck Creek in Bryant (milepost 34 - 35)
The roadway is reduced to one lane due to downed power lines and trees.
Other travel information
Amtrak Cascades: Amtrack Cascades service has been cancelled today, due to trees and mudslides blocking the tracks. Amtrak is contacting affected passengers to alert them and motorcoaches will be provided for some cancelled trains. For more information, call 1-800-USA-RAIL (872-7245).
The 5-1-1 highway information hotline is available and WSDOT advises people to keep trying if they receive a busy signal.
For general traveler information, visit WSDOT’s traveler web site at: www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/
Mountain pass reports are on the WSDOT web site at: www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/passes
Weather and traffic conditions are changing rapidly, for the most up-to-the-minute highway status, visit www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/weather/updates.
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