Date:
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Contact:
Melanie Coon, WSDOT Communications, (360) 705-7351 (Olympia)
360-507-4242 (cell)
OLYMPIA - WSDOT crews making progress in the mountains; continue to fight to re-open US 2 Stevens Pass.
US 2 STEVENS PASS - US 2 Stevens Pass reopened at 5 p.m. Sunday, February 10th after being closed by an avalanche on Friday morning at 10 a.m.
As the highway reopened, it was 29 degrees, snowing, with snow and slush on the highway. Traction tires are advised and oversize loads, prohibited. Power is still out at the summit so there are no traffic cameras and no variable speed limit signs, overhead electronic message signs or highway advisory radio. The Stevens Pass Ski Area will also remain closed through Monday.
SR 20 NEWHALEM - Two snow slides continue to block SR 20 between Newhalem and Diablo, cutting off access for Seattle City Light residents and workers in Diablo. The largest of the two slides is estimated to be 35 feet deep and 200 feet long. Crews have been working to reopen the roadway, but heavy snow is expected Sunday evening. This is the second time in as many weeks that snow slides have blocked the highway. The SR 20 hotline (360) 707-5056 has the most current information for area residents.
I-90 SNOQUALMIE PASS - Eastbound and westbound Interstate 90 across Snoqualmie Pass opened to traffic about 12:15 a.m. Sunday, February 10, after being closed since Thursday due to heavy wet snow on the roadway brought down by avalanche control work. Warmer temperatures are providing drivers with bare and wet conditions all the way over and through the pass. Drivers should be cautious and prepare to slow down for slushy road conditions and standing water on the roadway. WSDOT crews on Snoqualmie Pass cleared massive amounts of snow during nearly 20 hours of avalanche control work between Friday morning and Saturday morning. Work continued throughout Saturday to remove snow from the roadway and uncover drains to allow standing water to drain.
US 12 WHITE PASS - After 57 hours of extensive snow removal, WSDOT crews successfully reopened US 12 in the vicinity of White Pass just before 9 a.m. Sunday morning. WSDOT closed approximately 50 miles of US 12 in the early morning hours of Thursday, February 7, due to multiple snow slides in the area. The closure extended from Packwood (milepost 136) to SR 410 junction near Naches (milepost 185), and was later reopened from milepost 165-185, shortening the closure to accommodate for local traffic. Crews used blowers and plows to remove over 78 inches of snow from the roadway since the closure began. This was the longest closure of White Pass since 1972.
SR 542 MOUNT BAKER HIGHWAY - SR 542 Mount Baker Highway closed east of Glacier (mp 34) at 10 p.m. Friday for avalanche danger. It reopened at 6 a.m. Sunday morning.
SPOKANE - For close to three weeks, crews in the Spokane area have been fighting snowfall followed by high winds. The areas near Davenport and Colfax have been pounded. Today, all state highways are open and WSDOT crews are coordinating with Spokane County and assisting where possible. The Spokane area received close to 40 inches of snow in January, the fourth highest January snowfall in recorded history. The third-highest January snowfall came back in 1954.
Motorists can get the most up-to-date pass conditions at www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/passes. WSDOT recommends that all drivers prepare for winter driving by properly preparing their vehicles, carrying chains, extra food and water, and reviewing winter driving tips at http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/winter/.
Motorists can find the latest information visiting www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/trafficalerts/. Oregon road information can be found at www.tripcheck.com.
See WSDOT’s Flickr site for winter photos at: www.flickr.com/photos/wsdot
Read the Winter Avalanche Story and leave a comment on our blog at: www.wsdotblog.blogspot.com
What can drivers do? If you must go out, please remember:
- On ice and snow, take it slow
- Pay extra attention to bridges, curves and shady spots
- Stay back from snow clearing equipment
- Allow more time to travel
- Keep a safe driving distance from the vehicle in front of you
- Turn off the cruise control
- At www.wsdot.wa.gov/winter, drivers can find a list of winter emergency kit items, more safe driving tips and information on mountain pass travel advisories.
Know before you go:
- 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/passes, drivers can look at mountain pass conditions throughout the state
- At www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/trafficalerts, the color-coded map shows statewide traffic conditions, including construction delays and highway incidents
- WSDOT offers weather information and road temperatures at www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/weather
- 511 - This driver information phone line provides real-time traffic, incident and closure information. Have a passenger call 511 for current traffic and weather information. TTY users can call 1-800-833-6388. Out of state callers can use 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
< Back to News Home