Date:  Tuesday, January 08, 2008

Contact: Alice Fiman, WSDOT Communications, (360) 705-7080 (Olympia)
Mike Westbay, WSDOT Communications (509) 728-4712 (Snoqualmie Pass)

Updated 7 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 9

OLYMPIA – Routes in Western Washington remain only wet and slushy, while WSDOT crews are still fighting snow on mountain pass highways, in Central and Eastern Washington and the Olympic Peninsula.

WSDOT is shifting trucks and materials to the hard hit areas, applying anti-icers, plowing and clearing storm debris and standing water from roadways. Maintenance managers are watching forecasts and getting reports from road crews to be ready for the next storm.

In Skagit County, crews have cleared a mudslide that blocked both lanes of State Route 20 east of Concrete. All lanes opened at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 8.  

For the most current traffic and travel conditions, check www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/trafficalerts. If you must travel through snow and ice, you can expect delays. Remember, ice and snow, take it slow.

WSDOT crews and Washington State Patrol (WSP) troopers have been busy today and are preparing for more snow later today into Wednesday. It started snowing at 3 a.m. and snowing heavily at 5 a.m. I-90 was closed for avalanche control just east of the summit from 5 - 5:25 a.m. and closed temporarily eastbound from 6-6:40 a.m. to clear the spun out blocking vehicles.  Further avalanche control was required Tuesday afternoon.  Between 2 and 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, eastbound I-90 traffic was stopped at milepost 47 (just west of the Snoqualmie Pass summit) for avalanche control work. Westbound traffic was not affected.

WSP troopers have been busy checking for chains on eastbound I-90 at Denny Creek (milepost 47). Drivers are cooperating by chaining up when required and driving slowly enough to get safely across the pass.

Weather experts predict more snow for the Olympics and Cascades and throughout Eastern Washington. Temperatures should warm during daytime hours, then drop again overnight and bring more snow to the mountains. The best times to travel in the mountains is between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. today.

Warmer temperatures are predicted for Thursday. At www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/weather drivers can look at weather forecasts and road temperatures throughout the state.

Drivers should also take some extra time to prepare themselves and their cars for winter travel. In the mountains, drivers will see heavy snowfall late today, with gusty winds, blowing snow and poor visibility. Mountain pass conditions and chain requirements are available at www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/passes/

If you must travel over mountain pass highways and through Eastern Washington, drivers are encouraged to drive for conditions and carry chains. Pass conditions will likely require vehicles to use tire chains. During “chains required” conditions, Washington State Patrol will be slowing traffic to check for chains on vehicles crossing Snoqualmie pass. Avalanche closures could also delay travelers over Snoqualmie Pass or Stevens Pass.

Prepare for winter driving conditions:

*On Ice and Snow Take It Slow.
*Allow more time to travel.
*Carry chains.
*Fill your gas tank prior to driving over the pass.
*Check fluid levels such as antifreeze, windshield washer fluid and motor oil.
*Check tire pressure, lights, battery and wiper blades.
*Keep a safe driving distance.
*Make sure your cell phone battery is fully charged.
*Carry food and water in case you get delayed in a remote area.
*Turn off the cruise control.

Know Before You Go:

*On WSDOT’s updated winter Web site, www.wsdot.wa.gov/winter, drivers can find links to all kinds of winter driving-related information including preparing a vehicle for winter driving, a list of winter emergency kit items, safe driving tips and information on mountain pass travel advisories.
*WSDOT offers several ways to get up-to-date traffic and construction information from our Web site at www.wsdot.wa.gov before you leave your home or office.
*At www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/weather drivers can look at weather forecasts and road temperatures throughout the state.
*At www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/trafficalerts, the color-coded map shows statewide traffic conditions, including construction delays and highway incidents.
*511 - This driver information phone line provides real-time traffic, incident and closure information. TTY users can call 1-800-833-6388 while out-of-state callers can call 1-800-695-ROAD (7623)
*Drivers with Web service on their cellular phones and PDAs can access the Seattle area traffic flow map, ferry schedules, mountain pass reports at www.wsdot.wa.gov/small.

On the Road:

*Overhead and roadside electronic signs – Overhead and freeway signs provide emergency and incident alerts and, in some Seattle-area locations during rush hours, point-to-point travel times
*Highway advisory radio - Yellow signs with flashing lights alert drivers to tune into radio frequencies airing construction updates. Think about programming AM 1610 and AM 530 into your car radio.

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