Date:  Tuesday, November 02, 2010

Contact: Kris Olsen, WSDOT Communications, 206-440-4475
Meagan McFadden, WSDOT Communications, 509-577-1618

MT RAINIER – Heavy rain on Monday helped wash away much of the snow on Cayuse Pass allowing crews to reopen the pass at noon today. Chinook Pass remains temporarily closed but crews hope to reopen it later this week as well.

WSDOT temporarily closed Cayuse (elev. 4,675’) on SR 123 and Chinook (elev. 5,430’) on SR 410 one week ago after early winter storms dumped more than three feet of snow on both passes. The snow increased the avalanche danger and created potentially dangerous driving conditions, forcing the temporary closure.

Chinook and Cayuse passes are two of several Washington mountain routes that close each year for the winter due to high avalanche risk and hazardous conditions. Last month, the road to Artist Point closed for winter. Crews are also closely monitoring conditions on the SR 20 North Cascades Highway (elev. 5,477’).

Drivers can keep mountain pass conditions at their fingertips by bookmarking the following page: www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/passes/.

Chinook Pass information can be found at: www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/passes/chinook/

Visit our Cayuse Pass web page at: www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/passes/cayuse/ 
                                     
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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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