Date:
Thursday, December 02, 2010
Contact:
Contacts: Alice Fiman, WSDOT Communications, 360-705-7080 (Olympia)
Al Gilson, WSDOT Communications 509-324-6015 (Spokane)
OLYMPIA – Apple Cup fans traveling over the mountains and into the Palouse for the big game need to prepare for severe winter driving conditions.
One snowstorm dumped several feet in the mountain passes earlier this week, plus snow and high winds continue to hammer the Palouse region.
The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) will have its crews and snow equipment out fighting the storms. Apple Cup routes are a priority and additional crews will shift into the Palouse as needed to help keep roads open and clear.
Drivers should expect very cold temperatures, compact snow and ice, and blowing and drifting snow on most rural highways in Eastern Washington, especially on US 195, SR 26, and SR 27.
Drivers will see snow on Snoqualmie Pass (I-90) and below-freezing temperatures along the route through Ellensburg and Vantage, on SR 24 near Hanford and on US 395 through Connell.
Expect similar conditions on US 12 over White Pass and US 2 over Stevens Pass.
Travelers are advised to pack cold-weather supplies and tire chains, and check travel and roadway conditions on WSDOT’s website before hitting the road. Find more information about how to prepare your car and winter driving tips at www.wsdot.wa.gov/winter.
On US 2, drivers could see participants in the Apple Cup Run, a relay running event sponsored by Kappa Sigma Fraternity. Each year, the runners carrying the game ball start Wednesday of game week, travel over US 2 and then onto the game location by Friday. There is a handoff to the home team in Wenatchee.
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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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