Date:  Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Contact: Mike Murphy, WSDOT Communications, 206-440-4699 (Seattle)
Mike Westbay, WSDOT Communications, 509-728-4712 (Yakima)
Donna Rahier, National Park Service, 360-569-2211 ext. 2301

KING COUNTY – Just in time for Memorial Day weekend, Cayuse Pass is set to reopen at noon on Friday, May 23, 2008. However, nearby Chinook Pass will remain closed at least through Thursday, June 5.

Cayuse Pass will reopen within Mount Rainier National Park from the 4,675-foot Cayuse Pass summit at the junction of SR 410 and SR 123 to Stevens Canyon Road.

SR 410 Chinook Pass will remain closed at the junction with SR 123 (milepost 65.75) to milepost 74.5 near Morse Creek. The long, cold, snowy winter delayed snow removal efforts. Instead of a steady melt-down of the snow pack, the snow kept piling up. It finally stopped snowing on May 13.

Clearing the highway slowed considerably when WSDOT maintenance crews reached the west side of the summit. They found deeper than average snow and avalanche areas littered with rocks and trees. For more information on SR 410 Chinook Pass visit: www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/passes/chinook.

WSDOT closes each pass for the winter due to high avalanche risk and hazardous driving conditions. Both passes have numerous slide areas that pose significant danger to travelers, WSDOT maintenance crews, and park staff.

This is the earliest Cayuse Pass has reopened in three years. The reopening was delayed in 2006 and 2007 by washout repairs. For photos of this year’s reopening effort and historic opening and closing dates, please visit: www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/passes/cayuse.

WSDOT reminds drivers to “know before you go” this Memorial Day weekend. WSDOT crews work hard to ensure that travelers reach their destination safely and advise drivers to plan ahead to save time and frustration. Travel times are significantly lighter Wednesday and Thursday morning and on Tuesday.

Work at most construction projects around the state will move off the highway from noon Friday until Tuesday morning. Although there may not be any active construction, drivers should be prepared for shifted lanes, roadway detours and reduced speed zones in places.

WSDOT offers several ways to get construction information from our Web site at www.wsdot.wa.gov before you leave your home or office.

*Call 5-1-1. The statewide 5-1-1 driver information line is generated by real-time traffic data embedded in the roadway. Drives can also get up-to-the-minute traffic incidents.
*Traffic map www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/seattle/ The color-coded map shows where traffic is heavy and light so you can alter your commute accordingly
*Traffic cameras www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/default.aspx - take a look at traffic conditions on a growing number of highway locations throughout the Puget Sound region
*E-mail alerts www.wsdot.wa.gov/Northwest/EmailUpdates.htm Sign up for one of several e-mail alert lists. You’ll get advance notice of upcoming construction closures delivered right to your inbox

Also, look for:
*Overhead electronic signs – These direct and alert drivers on the road.
*Highway advisory radio – These yellow signs with flashing lights alert drivers to tune into radio frequencies airing construction updates and other roadway information.

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