Date:
Thursday, February 07, 2008
Contact:
Paul Simonsen, Area Maintenance Superintendent, (360) 520-5537 (Chehalis)
Sylvia Ross, WSDOT Communications, (360) 905-2058 (Vancouver)
Mike Westbay, WSDOT Communications, (360) 577-1617 (Yakima)
CHEHALIS - The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) closed approximately 50 miles of US 12 early today, February 7, due to snow slides in multiple areas near
White Pass. The closure extends from mile post 136 (near Packwood) to mile post 185 (junction with SR 410 near Naches), and is expected to last throughout the day as crews work to remove the snow from both ends by blowing and plowing.
Multiple avalanches tumbled onto the roadway just after midnight, causing many blocking points on this long stretch of US 12. Two blowers and several plow trucks have been removing snow since the early morning hours, trying to clear the roadway. WSDOT snow removal crews estimate the full closure to last for the remainder of the day due to the massive amounts of snow needing removal.
Several vehicles, mostly commercial trucks, are stopped within the closure area, unable to proceed due to snow drifts blocking the roadway. No injuries have been reported, and WSDOT crews are working to clear the vehicles and allow them a safe passage. So far, approximately half of the vehicles have been cleared. We expect to have the remaining trucks cleared by 10:00 a.m.
Motorists are urged to travel alternate routes due to the significant delays on US 12. Drivers can use I-84 in Oregon as an alternate east-west route. Eastbound drivers should proceed south on I-5, east on I-84, and north on I-82. Westbound drivers should proceed east on I-82, west on I-84, and north on I-5.
Significant snowfall and warming trends have impacted
Snoqualmie and
Stevens Passes as well. Snoqualmie Pass closed for most of the night as crews did avalanche control work and removed snow, and Stevens Pass remains closed. WSDOT urges drivers to reconsider driving through any mountain passes today, due to the significant delays and treacherous conditions.
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