All major Wash. mountain passes reopened
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All three major highways across the Cascade Mountain passes were reopened by Friday morning, as snowfall tapered off and crews completed avalanche control work.
All passes had been closed for much of Thursday due to heavy snow and avalanche danger.
Interstate 90 at Snoqualmie Pass was reopened Thursday night, and U.S. 2 across Stevens Pass was reopened just after 8 a.m. Friday, with chains required on all vehicles except all wheel drive and a 35 mph speed limit. Snoqualmie Pass also had the chains required restriction for eastbound traffic.
U.S. 12, which was hit by a snow slide on Thursday morning, was the last to reopen, at about 11:15 a.m. Friday. Traction tires are required.
Officials said S.R. 410 also was reopened from Mud Mountain Dam to Crystal Mountain Boulevard near Enumclaw after downed trees and power lines were cleared from the roadway. However, chains are still required on that stretch of highway.
State transportation officials said motorists should not let down their guard just because the passes have reopened.
"Drivers throughout Washington should anticipate winter driving conditions even as our crews continue to address avalanche dangers in our major mountain passes," said state Transportation Secretary Paula Hammond.
Highway 20 across the North Cascades has been closed since Dec. 22. No reopening date has been announced.
Click this link for the latest information about highway closures from the state Department of Transportation.
All passes had been closed for much of Thursday due to heavy snow and avalanche danger.
Interstate 90 at Snoqualmie Pass was reopened Thursday night, and U.S. 2 across Stevens Pass was reopened just after 8 a.m. Friday, with chains required on all vehicles except all wheel drive and a 35 mph speed limit. Snoqualmie Pass also had the chains required restriction for eastbound traffic.
U.S. 12, which was hit by a snow slide on Thursday morning, was the last to reopen, at about 11:15 a.m. Friday. Traction tires are required.
Officials said S.R. 410 also was reopened from Mud Mountain Dam to Crystal Mountain Boulevard near Enumclaw after downed trees and power lines were cleared from the roadway. However, chains are still required on that stretch of highway.
State transportation officials said motorists should not let down their guard just because the passes have reopened.
"Drivers throughout Washington should anticipate winter driving conditions even as our crews continue to address avalanche dangers in our major mountain passes," said state Transportation Secretary Paula Hammond.
Highway 20 across the North Cascades has been closed since Dec. 22. No reopening date has been announced.
Click this link for the latest information about highway closures from the state Department of Transportation.
