Date:
Wednesday, November 07, 2007
Contact:
Alice Fiman, WSDOT Communications, (360) 705-7080
OLYMPIA – The weather may seem mild compared to the heavy rains we faced one year ago, but wintry weather has arrived in Washington and WSDOT crews have shifted to winter operations, ready to respond 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.
Weather reports indicate rain and lower temperatures across the state as we head into the Veteran’s Day weekend. A rain/snow mix is expected on mountain pass highways throughout the weekend.
Besides those crews already out on the roads over the three-day Veteran’s Day weekend, WSDOT maintenance supervisors will monitor weather reports and call out additional personnel and extra plow trucks with anti-icers if forecasts call for ice or snow conditions. WSDOT Traffic Management Center (TMC) operators monitor Washington State Patrol reports, weather reports and traffic cameras, dispatching crews accordingly.
WSDOT encourages drivers to check traffic conditions before you leave your home or office. Historical travel patterns for Veteran’s Day weekend indicate drivers are most likely to travel Friday afternoon from 5-7 p.m. and Sunday afternoon from 3-5 p.m.
Other local events and traffic impacts include:
• Higher than normal traffic over mountain pass highways for Dad’s Weekend at Washington State University.
• Cabela’s outdoor store opens its doors in Post Falls, Idaho on Friday, Nov 9th. Traffic backups are expected on I-90 near Stateline (exit 299 in Washington) and in Idaho at Exit 2/Pleasant View Rd.
• The Seattle Seahawks host the San Francisco 49ers Monday, Nov. 12 at 5 p.m. at Seattle’s Quest Field.
• WSDOT construction inspectors and the contractor have stabilized the slopes above US 12 near a rock slope stabilization project. Both lanes are open to traffic and back to normal - at night and on weekends. Drivers should expect up to 20 minute delays during daylight hours Monday through Friday.
• All lanes are open to traffic on eastbound I-90 at Easton where previously an overpass had to be demolished.
Motorists are advised to slow down, drive for conditions and prepare their car for winter travel. On WSDOT’s 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 information via the Web at www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/passes or by calling 511, the travel information phone line.
Know Before You Go:
• WSDOT offers several ways to get up-to-date traffic and construction information from our Web site at www.wsdot.wa.gov before you leave your home or office.
• At www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/weather drivers can look at weather forecasts and road temperatures throughout the state
• At www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/trafficalerts, the color-coded map shows statewide traffic conditions, including construction delays and highway incidents.
• 511 - This driver information phone line provides real-time traffic, incident and closure information. TTY users can call 1-800-833-6388.
• 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.
On the Road:
• Overhead and roadside electronic signs – Overhead and freeway signs provide emergency and incident alerts and, in some Seattle-area locations during rush hours, point-to-point travel times
• Highway advisory radio - Yellow signs with flashing lights alert drivers to tune into radio frequencies airing construction updates
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