PORTLAND, Ore. -- A 45-mile stretch of Interstate 84 between Troutdale and Hood River was reopened at 1 a.m. Friday, transportation officials announced.
That section of the interstate had been impacted by snow drifts, downed wires and trees and thick ice, according to the Oregon Department of Transportation. Two inches of ice were reported near the Bonneville Dam and Hood River was coated in 1.5 inches of ice.
Different day, same story, I84 is closed, Troutdale to Hood River. At least until this evening... only time will tell. @KGWNews @KGWTraffic pic.twitter.com/eEPEbU1dCh
— Rachael Rafanelli (@RachaelKGW) January 19, 2017
The closure of I-84 had a big impact on truck drivers and local businesses.
Bryan Ratterree and fellow truck driver Ronnie Webber had been stuck in Troutdale since I-84 first closed on Tuesday. They were among a handful of people sitting inside Shari's.
“Shari’s is normally packed. ... It’s kind of surprising that it’s kind of dead like this,” Ratterree said
The manager at Shari’s said they're only saw about a third of their normal business.
“I think drivers are a little frustrated that the roads aren't open, so they are hiding in their trucks, kind of like what I did. This morning was the first time I’d been out of my truck since Tuesday afternoon,” Ratterree said.
Taco Bell, across the street from Shari’s, also experienced the same loss of business. Employees told KGW-TV there had barely been any business for two days. Just like Shari’s, they could not wait for ODOT to re-open I-84.
“It doesn't look like 84 is opening up anytime soon. I’ve already been sitting here a little over 40 hours. It's time to get moving,” Ratterree said.
The forecast shows that area won't begin thawing for several days.
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On the Washington side of the Columbia River Gorge, State Route 14 was closed for almost 24 hours from Washougal to the Hood River Bridge. The highway was reopened for regular vehicles at around 4 p.m. Wednesday, although traction tires were advised. The highway is still closed to semi-trucks.
The latest ice storm comes after the historic snowstorm in Portland, which left more than a foot of snow in parts of the city.