Date:  Thursday, April 01, 2010

Contact: Alice Fiman, WSDOT Communications (360) 705-7080 fimana@wsdot.wa.gov

OLYMPIA– Drivers should prepare for high winds, possible highway and ferry route delays plus snow in the mountains Friday and Saturday.

Before you leave your home or office this holiday weekend, please check the WSDOT Web site at www.wsdot.wa.gov.

Motorists planning on traveling across the SR 104 Hood Canal Bridge Friday should prepare for possible delays due to high winds. Weather forecasts call for high winds and heavy rains in the Hood Canal area.

During inclement weather, WSDOT may close the bridge to traffic when there is water over the roadway or when high winds are sustained for 15 minutes or longer. The decision to close the bridge is based on strength, intensity and direction of the wind as well as the tidal conditions. Closing the Hood Canal Bridge to traffic in such instances helps WSDOT ensure driver safety.

The high winds could also cause delays to Washington State Ferry routes serving the North Sound area. Please check www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries for the most current route status.

Forecasts call for close to two feet of snow in the Cascade Mountains. If crossing the mountains, drivers should carry chains and drive for conditions.

On the WSDOT Winter Driving Web site (www.wsdot.wa.gov/winter), you can find ways to prepare for winter driving, winter driving tips, plus more about WSDOT’s winter roadway operations, snow and ice removal and avalanche control.

WSDOT advises drivers to know before you go:

• Get information before you leave about traffic and roadway conditions, including the mountain passes, on our Web site at www.wsdot.wa.gov.  
• Sign up for and follow WSDOT news at www.wsdot.wa.gov/news. There you can sign up for WSDOT E-mail alerts, Twitter feeds, read the blog and see WSDOT photos on Flickr.
• 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 1-800-695-ROAD (7623).

Know 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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