Date:
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
Contact:
Chris Christopher, WSDOT Statewide Maintenance Engineer 360-705-7851
Melanie Coon, WSDOT Communications 360-705-7078
Washington State Department of Transportation crews have largely finished clearing state highways and interstates after the biggest windstorm in decades. Throughout the storm WSDOT closed more than 90 roads or bridges. Now they are helping local agencies and power companies repair remaining storm damage. Many local agencies and power companies have called in out of town crews to help with recovery after the recent wind storm. Currently, WSDOT crews are working with Puget Sound Energy crews in Central Puget Sound, Pierce and Thurston counties.
WSDOT crews from bridge, maintenance and the pavement marking divisions are out helping direct traffic and cut trees while the electrical crews work to restore power. Crews also continue to clear debris and replace damaged guardrail.
“We are doing everything we can to be of assistance to several utility companies as they continue to work around the clock to restore power to their customers,” said Chris Christopher, WSDOT Statewide Maintenance Engineer.
Local utilities provide power required to operate WSDOT traffic signals, ramp meters, electronic message signs, traffic cameras, lights, detectors that feed real-time traffic information to online traffic maps and more. Power outages still affect some of these systems. In some areas, including Snoqualmie Pass, drivers will not see overhead electronic highway message boards or ramp meters.
WSDOT is using generators to power traffic signals at dark intersections. Large and small generators and staff are keeping them running around the clock. Large generators are powering the electrical hubs. Small generators are chained to signal poles in some locations. Crews are rotating in and out of the area supplying the generators gas. WSDOT again reminds drivers to treat all dark intersections as four-way stops.
Other Information
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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