Date:  Friday, January 09, 2009

Contact:
Public Road Condition Inquiries: Call 5-1-1/ out of state callers call 1-800-695-ROAD (7623)

Route information is available at the WSDOT Web site, www.wsdot.wa.gov and drivers are encouraged to check conditions along their entire route. WSDOT has established a county-by-county list of road closures at: www.wsdot.wa.gov/news/update/.

HYAK – After working around the clock to clear snow, water, and debris from the roadway and shoulders, WSDOT will open the eastbound lanes of I-90 Snoqualmie Pass on Friday, Jan. 9 at 9 a.m. Westbound lanes will open by noon.

Media are invited to join Don Whitehouse, WSDOT South Central Regional Administrator, to see the opening of I-90 Snoqualmie Pass and learn how WSDOT crews battled the elements to restore east-to-west travel across the state. Media will be escorted to the area of the highway closure to see the restriction lifted and vehicles begin crossing the Pass. Media will also have on-camera interview opportunities.

When: Friday, Jan. 9, 2009. Meet at milepost 34, North Bend, at 8:45 am.

Where: Eastbound I-90 at Exit 34 at the off ramp near North Bend. Media must provide credentials and be escorted as a group to the staging location. Bring winter weather outerwear and sturdy winter footwear. Hard hats and vests will be provided if needed.

WSDOT is also working to open I-5 from exit 68 (11 miles south of Chehalis) to exit 88 (about 20 miles south of Olympia). Crews should know within the next few hours when this north-south route will open to traffic.

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