Date:
Saturday, February 02, 2008
Contact:
Summer Derrey, 509-945-4584 (Snoqualmie Pass)
Claudia Cornish, 360-705-7351 (Olympia)
NORTH BEND – The pass opened at 4 a.m. Saturday following an enormous sustained effort yesterday and last night. Crews worked throughout the night clearing snow off the highway with snow blowers, snowplows and graders following a particularly aggressive avalanche control effort yesterday in which snow was lodged free from 30 avalanche paths using over 365 pounds of explosives. Since the storm began on Jan. 27, WSDOT avalanche control experts, partnering with avalanche specialists from Alpental and Snoqualmie West ski areas, have used a total of 1,500 pounds of explosives to safely cause avalanches.
Drivers should be prepared for winter driving conditions with compact snow and ice across all lanes of I-90 at and near the pass summit. Chains will be required on eastbound I-90, except for vehicles with four-wheel drive, starting at Denny Creek (milepost 47). Traction tires will be required for westbound drivers starting at Easton (milepost 71). As the highway reopens, drivers should expect some initial back-ups and congestion and should consider delaying trips for a few hours until the back-ups dissipate. Drivers should also expect intermittent highway closures lasting an hour or longer each as WSDOT continues routine avalanche control, especially in the first 12 hours after the highway reopens.
While I-90 will reopen to motorists, the Gold Creek, Price Creek and Hyak snow parks will remain closed indefinitely until crews can clear those areas and their entrances.
On Thursday, Jan. 31, Gov. Chris Gregoire declared a State of Emergency in response to the severe winter storm that caused hazardous conditions in a number of counties across Washington and closed I-90 across Snoqualmie Pass. Over six feet of snow fell in six days.
Drivers can get the most up-to-date pass conditions at www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/passes and by calling the 511 traveler information line.
WSDOT recommends that all drivers prepare for winter driving by properly preparing their vehicles, carrying chains, extra food and water, and reviewing winter driving tips at www.wsdot.wa.gov/winter.
See WSDOT’s Flickr site for winter photos from I-90 and sites near Spokane at: www.flickr.com/photos/wsdot
Read the Winter Avalanche Story and leave a comment on our blog at: wsdotblog.blogspot.com/.
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Drivers can now get real time traffic and weather information by dialing 5-1-1 from most phones. This new traveler information system builds upon the highly successful Washington State Highway hotline that managed 4.6 million calls each year. Callers can also use 5-1-1 to get statewide construction, mountain pass condition, and state ferry system information, as well as toll free numbers for passenger rail and airlines. TTY users can call 1-800-833-6388.
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