As WSDOT crews clear highways and drivers gear up for another night of winter driving conditions, commuters and holiday travelers should be prepared and take it slow. The ice is scheduled to reappear just as commuters head home.
Wet and bare roadways greeted drivers Monday morning, with lighter-than-normal traffic in many areas. As last-minute shoppers, commuters and those starting their holiday travels converge, temperature will drop, resulting in icy roadways. Add one or two spinouts or incidents that block traffic and you have a recipe for gridlock.
While the snow has subsided in the Puget Sound region, Eastern and Southwest Washington are still seeing snowfall. The mountain pass highways are all open, with traction tires required.
“The bad weather has eased off today, but we remind drivers to remain alert, it could get icy on roads tonight, be prepared for winter travel and drive cautiously,” said WSDOT Secretary Paula Hammond.
There is still compact snow and ice on highways all over the state and crews are gearing up for the next storm, expected to bring more snow to all parts of the state Wednesday.
Drivers are encouraged to check conditions along their entire route before hitting the highways.
As of 3 p.m. Monday, WSDOT reports only SR 27 closed from Tekoa to Fairfield in Eastern Washington.
The Washington State Ferry system reports extreme weather conditions delayed fuel service to the Hyak. The Hyak is back in service.
Amtrak Cascades trains have been cancelled for Monday.
Those who must travel should be prepared for winter driving conditions. If you must drive, plan ahead and take precautions. Carry warm clothes, food, water and chains for your vehicles. Make sure you have a full tank of gas and a fully-charged cell phone. If driving, slow down and give yourself extra time to reach your destination safely. Roadways, intersections, off-ramps, bridges and shady spots all have potential to develop ice that makes driving hazardous.
If you do become stranded, move your vehicle out of travel lanes and activate emergency flashers. Stay in your car and if your car is running, keep the tailpipe area clear.
WSDOT’s 450 trucks are out clearing 20,000 lanes miles 24 hours a day, seven days a week. That is more than 1,000 people working around the clock, treating roads for snow and ice, plowing and putting down sand and salt.
Know before you go
Get information from our Web site at www.wsdot.wa.gov before you leave your home or office.
511 – This driver information phone line provides current traffic, incident and closure information. TTY users can call 1-800-833-6388. Out-of-state callers can access the information at call 1-800-695-ROAD (7623).
Mountain pass conditions are available at www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/passes/.
At www.wsdot.wa.gov/winter, drivers can find WSDOT’s winter driving-related information, including preparing a vehicle for winter driving, safe driving tips and mountain pass travel advisories. The WSDOT winter site also offers information about chains, winter tires and how WSDOT maintenance crews work in winter weather.
On WSDOT’s Web site, www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/weather, drivers can look roadway temperatures and see camera images from across the state.
At www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/trafficalerts, a map shows highway incidents and closures.
Sign up for news. WSDOT offers subscribers more than 25 specialized e-mail alerts, including news and information for freight haulers, construction related traffic revisions, project updates from all around the state, and timely updates on pass conditions. Visit www.wsdot.wa.gov and click the link for “E-mail updates.”
Twitter users can add WSDOT to their personal accounts at: http://twitter.com/wsdot/. Go to www.wsdot.wa.gov/inform/twitter for more details.
On the road
Overhead and roadside electronic signs
Highway advisory radio – WSDOT advises drivers to program 530AM and 1610AM on your radio.
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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.
