Date:  Thursday, April 15, 2010

Contact: Kris Olsen, WSDOT Communications, 206-440-4475
What’s happening in the next 24 hours: www.wsdot.wa.gov/construction/2010/today.htm

MOUNT RAINIER, WA – WSDOT maintenance crews on SR 410 Cayuse Pass are making steady progress toward clearing the roadway in time for late spring and summer travel.

Crews now estimate Cayuse Pass will reopen by Friday, April 30. Originally, WSDOT hoped to open it today, but recent snowstorms brought an additional four feet of snow to the pass.
 
The crew is now at the summit of the pass in about twelve feet of snow with six more miles downhill to clear. They are using a large bulldozer, excavator and two snowblowers to clear the road.

Once Cayuse Pass is open, the crew will then begin working its way up the west side of Chinook Pass. Another crew is working on clearing Chinook Pass from the east side. Crews hope to have Chinook Pass open by Friday, May 28.

For pictures of the Cayuse Pass clearing, check our Flickr set at www.flickr.com/photos/wsdot/sets/72157623860758718/
For information on SR 123 Cayuse Pass visit: www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/passes/cayuse
For information on SR 410 Chinook Pass visit: www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/passes/chinook/

Know before you go

WSDOT has a number of tools to help drivers plan their trips.
• For up-to-date conditions on all Washington mountain passes, visit: http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/passes/
• Check travel alerts: www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/trafficalerts/
• Call 5-1-1

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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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