Date:  Friday, April 25, 2008

Contact: Lee Redden, WSDOT Avalanche Specialist, (206) 313-4582
John Stimberis, WSDOT Avalanche Specialist, (509) 929-1647
Summer Derrey, WSDOT Communications, (509) 945-4584
Mike Westbay, WSDOT Communications, (509) 728-4712

SNOQUALMIE PASS – It seems spring has finally arrived on I-90 Snoqualmie Pass, and with the warm temperatures forecasted for the weekend, WSDOT Avalanche Specialists will need to conduct avalanche control work on Saturday afternoon.

“Hopefully this is the last round of control work we will have to do this season,” said John Stimberis, WSDOT Avalanche Specialist. “With the warm temperatures expected this weekend, we really want to get in there and reduce the avalanche hazard.”

Drivers traveling westbound on Saturday afternoon may be delayed for up to an hour or more. Drivers are advised to check out our Website, www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/passes/snoqualmie/, to find out where and when the avalanche control work closures will occur.

This winter season on Snoqualmie pass has definitely kept WSDOT crews very busy battling snow, freezing temperatures, and more snow.

“We have received 48 feet of snow on Snoqualmie Pass this winter making this season one of the highest years for avalanche control work on record,” said Don Whitehouse, South Central Regional Administrator.

To date, WSDOT Avalanche Specialists have conducted avalanche control work 95 times, detonated more than 8,000 pounds of explosives, and shot off 99 rounds from the 105 mm rifle, which has not been used since 2002.

“It’s been a real challenge this season and WSDOT avalanche crews are looking forward to being done with the major mountain passes so we can focus our efforts on getting Chinook Pass and the North Cascades Highway open for drivers.” Stimberis said. 


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