Date:  Sunday, December 21, 2008

Contact: 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) Emily Pace, WSDOT Communications, 360-507-1854 (Olympic Region) Melanie Coon, WSDOT Communications, 360-507-4242 (Southwest Washington) Al Gilson, WSDOT Communications, 509-324-6015 (Spokane)

OLYMPIA – As the sun goes down on another day of ice and snow in Western Washington, crews hope they see the light at the end of the tunnel. In Eastern Washington, the break is over and more roads are closed due to the dangerous combination of snow and high winds.

Drivers should be prepared for winter conditions all over the state and stay back from snow clearing equipment. As fans leave the Seahawks game, drivers should plan ahead and take extra time.

Gov. Christine Gregoire has encouraged citizens to stay off the roads if possible.

Forecasts say by Monday, the Central Puget Sound area should return to a more normal winter weather pattern. The area from Olympia south to Vancouver should be the last to see snow, with it hanging on through overnight hours Monday. All routes over the Cascade Mountains and into Eastern Washington should see heavy snow overnight.

WSDOT crews have been working 24 hours a day to keep roads open for drivers.

With the weather hitting all part of the state, WSDOT encourages drivers to know the conditions all along their route. Check the WSDOT web page and sign up for e-mail alerts.

Despite fighting weather conditions all over the state, WSDOT reports few road closures or restrictions. Here are the conditions as of 3p.m. Sunday:

• Interstate 90 Snoqualmie Pass is open. Tractions tires are required, vehicles over 10,000 gvw chains required, oversize vehicles prohibited. Reduced speed limit is in effect.
• WSDOT is keeping both the I-90 and I-5 Express Lanes to Seattle inbound for the entire day.  I-90 Express lanes will be westbound and I-5 Express Lanes will be southbound. This will ensure they are open for the Monday morning commute.
• SR 410 remains closed near Buckley due to a downed power pole. The road will remain closed until utility crews can assess the situation and implement a response.
• SR 14 is closed to trucks between Washougal and the US 97 Junction, through the Columbia River Gorge area. Chains are required for passenger vehicles without all-wheel drive between Washougal and White Salmon.
• SR 401 in both directions is closed from US 101 to MP 9.00 before Knappton RD in Wahkiakum county due to fallen trees and snow and ice glaze.
• SR 27 is closed from Tekoa to Fairfield in Eastern Washington for snow removal
• The first sailing of the Port Townsend-Keystone Ferry run was cancelled Sunday morning and riders of all routes should expect possible disruptions because of rough seas and inclement weather. The public is to expect delays with all ferry runs and is asked to exercise caution in the terminal areas because of ice and snow in the holding areas and boat ramps.  For up to date ferry information travelers can call 511 or check the WSDOT website.
• There are no Amtrak Cascades runs today, but Sound Transit is running its Seahawks shuttle on the Sounder Commuter trains. Crews continue to work quickly to reopen those roads and clear snow and ice from all routes.

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

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.

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.

We ask that customers on the Washington State Ferries Port Townsend/Keystone route check at 1-888-808-7977 or via the Web site at www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/commuter_updates/index.cfm?fuseaction=bulletins for wind-related notices and cancellations.

• 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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