Date:  Saturday, December 20, 2008

Contact: Public Road Condition Inquiries: Call 5-1-1/ out of state callers call 1-800-695-ROAD (7623).

Media Contacts:
Alice Fiman, WSDOT Communications, 360-789-4035 (Olympia)
Aurora Jones, WSDOT Communications, 206-440-4788 (Seattle)
Megan McFadden, WSDOT Communications, 509-654-0697 (Yakima)
Jeff Adamson, WSDOT Communications 509-667-2815 (Wenatchee)
Kelly Stowe, WSDOT Communications, 360-507-1854 (Olympic Region)
Melanie Coon, WSDOT Communications, 360-507-4242 (Southwest Washington) Al Gilson, WSDOT Communications, 509-324-6015 (Spokane)

Sunday, Dec. 21, 4 a.m. update

OLYMPIA – WSDOT closed I-90 over Snoqualmie Pass and SR 14 through the Columbia River Gorge due to high winds, snow drifts and zero visibility.

WSDOT advises drivers to stay off the roads tonight. Those who must travel should be prepared for hazardous winter driving conditions. Combined with the ice and snow already on roads, drivers could see blizzard conditions in many places, especially mountain pass highways.

I-90 over Snoqualmie Pass is closed from North Bend to Easton (mp 34 to 71). WSDOT crews will open the roadway when it’s safe for travel. On SR 14 through the Columbia River Gorge (mp 18 to 64), crews expect to keep the roadway closed until daylight Sunday. SR 410 remains closed in Buckley due to a power pole over the roadway.

Check www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/trafficalerts, for statewide highway incidents and closures.

WSDOT reports freezing rain in some Puget Sound areas, which can create hazardous driving conditions. East of the metro Puget Sound area could also see winds of 70 mph or more and power outages. If there is no power at an intersection, it should be treated as a four-way stop.

If you must drive, plan ahead and take precautions. Carry warm clothes, food, water and chains for your vehicles. Make sure you have a full tank of gas and a fully-charged cell phone. If driving, slow down and give yourself extra time to reach your destination safely. Roadways, intersections, off-ramps, bridges and shady spots all have potential to develop ice that makes driving hazardous.

If you do become stranded, move your vehicle out of travel lanes and activate emergency flashers. Stay in your car and if your car is running, keep the tailpipe area clear.

WSDOT’s 450 trucks are out clearing 20,000 lanes miles 24 hours a day, seven days a week. That is more than 1,000 people working around the clock, treating roads for snow and ice, plowing and putting down sand and salt.

WSDOT reminds motorists to drive safely and observe any emergency road closures, for their own safety and the safety of WSDOT crews. Under Washington law, RCW 47.48.040, the white sign with black lettering “Road Closed” marks a location where all private and commercial vehicle traffic is restricted. Residents inside the closure would need to contact the Washington State Patrol or WSDOT for access. When roads are closed, they are not patrolled. Drivers that violate a road closure could become stranded. Not only could they face serious injury to themselves or highway crews, drivers could face a fine of $124 or more if they violate a highway closure.

Know Before you go:

• Get information from our Web site at www.wsdot.wa.gov before you leave your home or office.
• 511 - This driver information phone line provides current traffic, incident and closure information. TTY users can call 1-800-833-6388. Out-of-state callers can access the information at call 1-800-695-ROAD (7623).
• Mountain pass conditions are available at www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/passes/.
• At www.wsdot.wa.gov/winter, drivers can find WSDOT’s winter driving-related information, including preparing a vehicle for winter driving, safe driving tips and mountain pass travel advisories. The WSDOT winter site also offers information about chains, winter tires and how WSDOT maintenance crews work in winter weather.
• On WSDOT’s Web site, www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/weather, drivers can look roadway temperatures and see camera images from across the state.
• At www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/trafficalerts, a map shows highway incidents and closures.
• Sign up for news. WSDOT offers subscribers more than 25 specialized e-mail alerts, including news and information for freight haulers, construction related traffic revisions, project updates from all around the state, and timely updates on pass conditions. Visit www.wsdot.wa.gov and click the link for “E-mail updates.”
• Twitter users can add WSDOT to their personal accounts at: http://twitter.com/wsdot/. Go to www.wsdot.wa.gov/inform/twitter for more details.

On the Road:

• Overhead and roadside electronic signs
• Highway advisory radio - WSDOT advises drivers to program 530AM and 1610AM on your radio.

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WSDOT keeps people, businesses and the economy moving by operating and improving the state's transportation systems. To learn more about what we're doing, go to www.wsdot.wa.gov/news for pictures, videos, news and blogs. Real time traffic information is available at www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic or by dialing 5-1-1.

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