SNOQUALMIE PASS, Wash. — Interstate 90 remains closed in both directions between North Bend and Ellensburg as heavy snow and icy conditions continue to impact travel through the mountain passes.
Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) officials announced the highway will remain shut down overnight following severe winter weather that caused multiple collisions and spinouts.
The closure comes after Snoqualmie Pass received 20 inches of snow overnight, creating what officials described as “severe compact snow and ice.” Maintenance crews are currently working to clear 100 miles of highway and remove trees weighed down by the heavy snowfall.
Traffic is currently being routed off the interstate eastbound at Exit 34 in North Bend.
The WSDOT reported numerous issues with vehicles spinning out and colliding in the difficult conditions.
Tow trucks have been deployed to clear the roadway, but officials noted that removing crashed vehicles is only the first step in reopening the pass.
Crews must also plow the extensive accumulation of snow and address trees that have been knocked over onto the travel lanes after being weighed down by the heavy snow.
Summer Derrey, a public information officer for WSDOT, emphasized the importance of driver preparation.
Derrey noted that some travelers have violated chain requirements, leading to further complications on the road.
“People have all sorts of challenges up there,” Derrey said. “So for that reason, it’s important for people to make important decisions before they leave the house. Are they prepared? Is their car prepared?”
Dozens of travelers have opted to wait in their vehicles along the shoulder of the highway, hoping for the pass to reopen.
The closure has also stranded commercial truck drivers, some of whom have been waiting since the previous night.
Antonio Alatorre, a driver carrying a load of potatoes to Moses Lake, has been stuck on the shoulder of Interstate 90 for hours.
“We’re hungry already, we’ve been here since last night,” Alatorre said.
He noted that he had attempted to move forward earlier in the day, thinking the road might be open, only to be told the closure was still in effect.
State troopers are urging drivers to delay any non-essential travel through the area and to go slow on the rough roads.
For those who must travel, officials recommend maintaining a full tank of gas to avoid running out while waiting in long lines of detoured traffic. Drivers are also reminded to carry chains and ensure their windshield wipers are in working order.
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