Date:
Friday, February 08, 2008
Contact:
Mike Westbay, WSDOT Communications, 509-728-4712 (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 - Blizzard-like conditions have led the Washington State Department of Transportation to close all three of Washington's primary mountain pass highways at this hour.
Estimates at this time indicate I-90 Snoqualmie Pass will be closed 10 hours or longer depending on conditions. US 2 Stevens Pass and US 12 White Pass will be closed until further notice. All three mountain pass highways have received close to 10 inches of new snow today, with snow falling at two inches per hour.
Motorists can get the most up-to-date pass conditions at www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/passes.
Motorists traveling from Eastern Washington to Western Washington are advised to use the following route: from I-90 at Ellensburg, take eastbound I-82 to the junction of I-82 and I-84. Take westbound I-84 to the I-5 junction in Portland. Go north on I-5 into Western Washington.
Motorists traveling from Western Washington to Eastern Washington are advised to use the following route: take I-5 south to Portland, then go east on I-84 to the junction of I-84 and I-82. Take westbound I-82 to Ellensburg. Take I-90 east into Eastern Washington.
A detour map is available here: www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/Update/SnoqualmiePassDetour.htm
I-90 Snoqualmie Pass: A 72-mile section of I-90 remains closed to all traffic due to extreme avalanche dangers and high volumes of snow. The closure extends from Edgewick at milepost 34 to Ellensburg at milepost 106, and includes Snoqualmie Pass. Crews report two inches of snowfall per hour, much more than the forecasted amount. Estimates at this time indicate the roadway will be closed 10 hours or longer depending on conditions.
US 2 Steven Pass: Stevens 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. 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.
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. 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.
All motorists driving on routes through the Cascades Mountains and into Eastern Washington should expect extreme winter driving conditions, snow, ice and delays. 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/.
Motorists can find the latest information visiting www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/trafficalerts/. Oregon road information can be found at www.tripcheck.com.
WSDOT realizes the vital role I-90 plays as an east-west freight and passenger corridor. Crews are doing everything possible to reopen the highway..
See WSDOT’s Flickr site for the latest photos of these events at: www.flickr.com/photos/wsdot
Watch video of the conditions or 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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