Date:  Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Contact: Alice Fiman, WSDOT Communications (360) 789-4035 (Olympia)

OLYMPIA – Drivers across the state can plan for weather and road conditions by keeping “plugged in” to Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) Web and mobile tools and local media reports.

The National Weather Service reports the significant winter storm that started today with snow should continue through Friday. Drivers can expect freezing temperatures and snow throughout the state and strong winds near the Canadian border.

WSDOT crews are working 24-hour-a-day to keep traffic moving. But when winter weather hits during commute hours, it’s a challenge to keep the roads clear because of all the traffic. We need drivers help to:

• Stay engaged. Monitor current weather and traffic conditions.
• Make a plan today for the rest of the week.
• Bookmark and use WSDOT’s online tools:
• Traffic cameras: www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/default.aspx
• Travel alerts: www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/trafficalerts
• Mountain Passes: www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/passes  
• Traffic products for mobile phones and other wireless devices: www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/seattle/products/
• WSDOT Twitter feed: www.twitter.com/wsdot
• Call 511 for current traffic conditions
• Tune to Highway Advisory Radio and watch electronic highway signs for information.
• Drive for the conditions: Slow down and allow more room between vehicles.
• Don’t crowd the plow. Snowplows plow far and wide, and the plow blade is often wider than the lane.
• Make sure you and your car are winter ready: www.wsdot.wa.gov/winter.

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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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