Date:  Wednesday, December 24, 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)
Jeff Switzer, WSDOT Communications, 206-440-4788 (Seattle)
Mike Westbay, WSDOT Communications, 509- 577-1617 (Yakima)
Jeff Adamson, WSDOT Communications 509-667-2815 (Wenatchee)
Karri Workman, WSDOT Communications, 360-507-1854 (Olympic Region) Melanie Coon, WSDOT Communications, 360-507-4242 (Southwest Washington) Al Gilson, WSDOT Communications, 509-324-6015 (Spokane)

Wednesday, December 24, 2008
3 p.m. update

OLYMPIA – Temperatures may be inching up in some areas, but drivers who think it’s time to revert to posted roadway speeds are finding themselves in ditches, snow banks or collisions with other cars.

As the snow turns to rain and temperatures increase Thursday, Western Washington drivers could also find standing water on area roadways.

“Our crews have been working day and night to get those roadways clear, but the snow and ice just keeps coming to some of the areas on the Hood Canal, in the Cascades, Southwest Washington and Eastern Washington,” said WSDOT Secretary Paula Hammond. “We are being told the worst may be over for now in the Puget Sound, but there is still compact snow and ice or slush on many highways. Drivers need to be patient and vigilant about preparedness and safe winter driving.”

In Spokane, and most areas of Eastern Washington, the cold temperatures and will stick around. Forecasts call for close to two feet of snow and high winds tonight in the Cascade Mountains. Snoqualmie Pass control crews say they may need to stop traffic on I-90 for avalanche control.

Those who must travel should be prepared www.wsdot.wa.gov/winter for winter driving conditions. 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. Drivers are encouraged to check conditions along their entire route www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic before hitting the highways.

As of 3 p.m. Wednesday, December 24, 2008:

• Travel remains light on most urban Puget Sound highways.
• While tapering off in Seattle and Tacoma, the snow is still coming down in the South Puget Sound, Southwest Washington, North Olympic Peninsula, Cascade Mountains and Eastern Washington.
• WSDOT Avalanche Control crews may need to stop traffic on I-90 over Snoqualmie Pass for up to two hours between 8 a.m. and 2 a.m. Please check the Snoqualmie Pass page for more information http://wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/passes/
• The Port Townsend/Keystone Steilacoom II ferry 1:30 p.m. departure from Keystone was delayed 21 minutes due to high winds.

Read the WSDOT blog http://wdotblog.blogspot.com/ to read more WSDOT winter stories (including how to drive in slush), see snow and ice photos from around the state on Fickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/wsdot and videos on YouTube http://www.youtube.com/user/wsdot . For those traveling over the mountains, WSDOT has posted a tire chain installation video on its YouTube page.

Know Before you go:

• Get information from our Web site at http://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 at 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 http://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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