Date:
Friday, February 08, 2008
Contact:
Mike Westbay, WSDOT Communications, (509) 577-1617 (Yakima/east side of White Pass)
Summer Derrey, (509) 945-4584, (Snoqualmie Pass)
Al Gilson, WSDOT Communications, 509-324-6015 (Spokane)
Jeff Adamson, WSDOT Communications (509) 667-2815 (Stevens Pass)
Abbi Russell, WSDOT Communications (360) 905-2057 (Vancouver/west side of White Pass)
Travis Phelps, WSDOT Communications, (206) 440-4788 (Seattle)
Alice Fiman, WSDOT Communications, (360) 705-7351 (Olympia)
OLYMPIA – US 2 Stevens Pass and US 12 White Pass are closed at this hour.
US Steven Pass is closed from Nasen Creek Rest Area (mp 82) to Berne Snow Camp (mp 73). At 10 a.m. today, a natural snow slide covered all lanes of US 2 at mp 74. Due to high winds, warming temperatures and continued avalanche danger, the roadway will remain closed until at least Saturday. More than 15 inches of heavy, wet snow fell on Stevens Pass in the past 24 hours. Crews will be closely evaluating all other avalanche zone areas throughout the day and reopen the roadway when it can be made safe for drivers.
I-90 Snoqualmie Pass is closed for avalanche control near milepost 47 at Airplane Curve. The avalanche control may take more than two hours depending on the amount of snow that comes down.
Snoqualmie Pass received eight inches of snow overnight, bringing the total to 33.2 feet this season. Since Jan. 26, Snoqualmie Pass has received more than 9.5 feet of new snow. On I-90, The snow is expected to ease, and temperatures are expected to rise slightly. Four to six inches of snow is in the forecast for this morning and afternoon, with an additional two inches overnight.
On US 2 Stevens Pass, is closed as extremely high winds are causing white-out conditions and natural avalanches. Overnight, avalanche control technicians brought down snow, closing the highway for 20-minute intervals between 3 a.m. and 6 a.m. The current avalanche came down in an area where we do not typically see avalanches. The roadway will most likely remain closed until Saturday.
US 12 WHITE PASS: Crews are clearing multiple snow slides covering US 12 over White Pass. The road is closed from milepost 135 - 166, from Coal Creek Drive to before Wildcat Road. White Pass has received 39 inches of snow in the last 24 hours, bringing the total to 42.4 feet so far for the season. Since Jan. 26, White Pass has received 15.75 feet of new snow. Crews are working hard around the clock to clear snow and ice from US 12. The pass continues to experience snow, ice and high winds, which are causing whiteout conditions and multiple snow slides. The weather forecast calls for more snow and wind. WSDOT crews are continually assessing conditions and will reopen the pass as soon as it is safe to do so.
SPOKANE: Strong winds and visibility problems continue in the the areas south and west of Spokane. The most recent road conditions area available at: www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/trafficalerts/. The areas near Davenport and Colfax have been pounded. Although snowfall has stopped, winds in the rural areas are still blowing snow across roadways creating serious visibility concerns. Overnight, drivers went past the official closure signs and attempted to continue on the highway. These drivers created a serious safety concern. WSDOT Crews were operating graders, plows, and loaders clearing snow from the roadway with limited visibility in constrained work areas. By violating a highway closure, drivers could face a fine of $124 or more.
NEWHALEM: Two snowslides block highway 20 between Newhalem and Diablo, cutting off access for Seattle City Light residents and workers in Diablo. The largest of the two slides is estimated to be 35 feet deep and 200 feet long. Avalanche conditions are too dangerous for crews to plow and open the highway. WSDOT is waiting for weather and avalanche conditions to stabilize before starting work. It is currently snowing and raining in the area. Crews will assess the conditions later today to determine when it might be possible to try and open the road. This is the second time in as many weeks that snowslides have blocked the highway. The SR 20 hotline (360-707-5056) has the most current information for area residents.
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: www.wsdotblog.blogspot.com
What can drivers do? If you must go out, please remember:
- On ice and snow, take it slow
- Pay extra attention to bridges, curves and shady spots
- Stay back from snow clearing equipment • Allow more time to travel
- Keep a safe driving distance from the vehicle in front of you
- Turn off the cruise control
- At www.wsdot.wa.gov/winter, drivers can find a list of winter emergency kit items, more safe driving tips and information on mountain pass travel advisories.
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/passes. drivers can look at mountain pass conditions throughout the state
- At www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/trafficalerts, the color-coded map shows statewide traffic conditions, including construction delays and highway incidents
- WSDOT offers weather information and road temperatures at www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/weather
- 511 - This driver information phone line provides real-time traffic, incident and closure information. Have a passenger call 511 for current traffic and weather information. TTY users can call 1-800-833-6388. Out of state callers can use 1-800-695-ROAD (7623).
- Drivers with Web service on their cellular phones and PDAs can access the Seattle area traffic flow map, ferry schedules, mountain pass reports at www.wsdot.wa.gov/small
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