Date:
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
Contact:
Alice Fiman, WSDOT Communications, (360)789-4035
4 p.m. UPDATE
OLYMPIA – Drivers are encouraged to adjust their travel plans as the snow begins to fall in Puget Sound. Forecasts indicate the most severe winter weather will hit the Central Puget Sound area within two hours.
Whatcom and Skagit counties have seen significant snowfall during early afternoon hours. As this snowfall moves south, WSDOT is aggressively applying anti-icer and shifting its resources to help drivers and clear roadways. Crews from Snoqualmie Pass will be moving down into Issaquah, while crews that have been up in the Mount Vernon area are moving back into Central Puget Sound.
Seattle-area drivers should prepare for winter road condition and expect congestion as they head into the evening commute. All Seattle-area previously scheduled lane closures have been cancelled.
As the snow moves south, drivers in Pierce and Thurston counties should be prepared for winter driving beginning at 6 p.m.
A lower-than average morning commute helped WSDOT stay ahead of the weather this morning. Close to 260 trucks were able to stay ahead of the weather and apply anti-icing chemicals this morning, and were helped by a lower-than average morning commute.
Drivers who delayed trips this morning may be out on the road this afternoon, which could add to weather-related traffic congestion.
What can drivers do?
*Check the web before you head out to get an accurate picture of conditions: www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/
*Drive for winter conditions: slow down and keep extra space between you and the vehicle in front of you.
*Please slow down and be aware emergency crews will be on the roadways.
*Leave room for road crews and if you have car trouble, pull to the side and stay inside your vehicle to wait for assistance. Vehicles impeding snow-removal equipment could be ticketed and abandoned vehicles could be towed.
*Drivers can call 5-1-1 from any phone to get timely road updates.
*For up-to-date information on roadways by county, visit www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/weather/updates/.
Interesting facts:
*WSDOT has more than 200 trucks on the road in Western Washington working this storm. Equipment includes snow plows, sanders, dump trucks, graders and deicers.
*We have more than 200 people working the roads.
*We applied de-icer to many roads and continue aggressively applying chemicals, however drivers should always pay extra attention to ramps, bridges and overpasses.
*We will not activate ramp meters on freeway on ramps during the snow event.
*Camera images, roadway temperatures and weather information can be found at: www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/roadtemps/
*Mountain pass reports are on the WSDOT web site at: www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/passes
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