Date:
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
Contact:
Melanie Coon, WSDOT Communications, (360) 507-4242 (Olympia)
OLYMPIA - Evening and nighttime temperatures are expected to refreeze area highways and drivers are encouraged to prepare for snow and ice, especially on neighborhood routes and less traveled roadways. WSDOT crews cleared major highways throughout last night and this morning and will apply de-icer as temperatures drop overnight. Most primary highways are bare and wet in Western Washington, but drivers should expect snow and ice on secondary roads.
This evening and tonight, we will concentrate on plowing and treating trouble spots and blanketing the region with material that fights ice and improves traction. Temperatures are expected to drop back to freezing close to 8:30 p.m. in the Puget Sound area. Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) encourages drivers to make preparations for the rest of the afternoon as traffic levels increase during the afternoon hours.
Western Washington
The heavily-traveled roadways in King, Pierce and Thurston counties are bare and wet, however, drivers may see a slush from plow trucks. In the Kitsap County area, Port Orchard was hit particularly hard by snow. Roads are bare and wet in the South Sound and it's raining in Port Angeles with temperatures near 40 degrees. Drivers still need to be wary of slush on curves, ramps and shady areas.
Southwest Washington
The hardest hit area today included Southwest Washington near Vancouver, and crews continue their focus on primary roads including I-5 and I-205 in Clark County. WSDOT crews are plowing to clear the roads to bare and wet status in time for the afternoon commute. We have plows and solid-dispensing trucks out in full force going over those two routes. Secondary priorities will be SR 14 and SR 500. At this time, there are no chain requirements for vehicles driving on the Washington state roads in the Vancouver/Portland metro area. Chains are required on State Route 14, from Washougal to the Prindle area in Skamania County (mileposts 18-29.)
I-90 Snoqualmie Pass
WSDOT maintenance crews and Washington State Patrol (WSP) troopers have been able to clear and open one lane on westbound I-90 at mile post 36 (4 miles east of North Bend). Multiple collisions (10 semi trucks, 20 passenger vehicles), and a spilled load blocked all westbound lanes of I-90 Snoqualmie Pass in a nine mile section between Exit 45 and Exit 36 (Edgewick Interchange) for about 3.5 hours. WSDOT and WSP chose to close westbound I-90 at Exit 45 so that drivers could pull off the road safely and use the interchange to turn around. WSDOT and
WSP are working hard to clear the highway of multiple semi turnovers, straighten out blocking vehicles and help drivers get going again. WSDOT crews estimate that it will take several hours to get the remainder of the westbound lanes reopened.
All lanes eastbound on I-90 are open to traffic with traction tires required, chains are required on vehicles over 10,000 gross vehicle weight, oversize loads prohibited.
Current conditions on Snoqualmie Pass: Occasional snow, 16 degrees, gusty winds west of the summit, snow and ice on the roadway, traction tires required, chains are required on vehicles over 10,000 gross vehicle weight, oversize loads prohibited..
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO:
WSDOT offers several ways to get up-to-date traffic information before you leave your home or office from our Web site at www.wsdot.wa.gov.
On a new, updated winter website, www.wsdot.wa.gov/winter, drivers can find links to all kinds of winter driving-related information including preparing a vehicle for winter driving, a list of winter emergency kit items, safe driving tips and information on mountain pass travel advisories.
Drivers can access WSDOT’s mountain pass report line information via the Web at www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/passes.
Also new this year, drivers with web service on their cellular phones and PDAs can access small-screen I-90 pass updates at: www.wsdot.wa.gov/small by clicking on the "mountain pass reports" link.
WHAT DRIVERS CAN DO:
Chain up only when required and only in designated chain up areas where there is enough room to safely pull off of the highway.
If you are involved in a collision, make every effort to steer your vehicle over to the side of the road, clearing it out of the traffic lanes before exiting your vehicle.
Drive slower during traction advisories
Call 511 for current traffic and weather information
Tune to highway advisory radio messages on AM 530 and AM 1610
Prepare for winter driving conditions
Allow more time to travel
Fill the gas tank
Check fluid levels - antifreeze - windshield washer fluid - motor oil
Check tire pressure - lights - battery and wiper blades
Make sure your cell phone battery is fully charged Take warm clothes and a blankets so you can turn the car off and still stay warm Carry food and water in case you get delayed in a remote area
During traction advisories - don't use cruise control - don't use the overdrive setting on an automatic transmission these give you less control and take longer to slow down.
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