PORTLAND, Ore. — The Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) is asking the public to avoid travel on Friday and Saturday, as severe weather could bring several inches of snow across the Portland metro area, creating hazardous road conditions.
Earlier this week, PBOT sent out an advisory alerting the public of the potential of snow in order for people to make plans and be prepared.
For people that must head out this weekend and can't avoid driving, PBOT offered these three suggestions:
- Find a safe, warm place to stay and delay your trip, wait it out at the office, eat at a local restaurant or stay at a hotel. Although these options may cost it will save you from the costs of citations or towing fees over $500.
- Be prepared to travel based on the conditions you encounter during your trip. Slow down, carry traction devices like chains and an emergency weather kit in your vehicle (Snow shovel, bag of sand, jumper cables, first aid kit, basic tools (pliers, wrench, screwdriver and knife), blanket and warm clothing, extra food and water, cell phone and extra charger, and a flashlight).
- If you do choose to drive and find yourself without traction, move your vehicle away from travel lanes. Any car parked illegally could be towed, especially any car blocking a travel lane, streetcar tracks or other public transit route. It's important to keep travel lanes open for emergency responders and snow plow operators.
"In winter weather, PBOT crews are the first responders for the first responders," PBOT Director Millicent Williams said. "Our crews treat and plow the routes that are the most critical for police, firefighters and paramedics. We also prioritize routes for public transit service and access to hospitals and emergency shelters. Please avoid travel in the snow and keep your sidewalks passable for your neighbors. PBOT crews will work around the clock to keep critical routes safe for emergency services."
Crews within Portland and the metro area — from PBOT, to the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT), to the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) — did not use magnesium chloride, a deicer, ahead of this weather event, due to all of the rain this week. However, each agency told KGW Thursday evening that they feel confident handling the storm.
"We've got the salt trucks, we've got the deicer, we've got the plows read to go and to respond as needed out there," said Don Hamilton, a spokesperson for ODOT. "If we learned anything last year it's to make sure that we don't stop until the snow and the ice stops. Because things keep coming out of the sky and sometimes they don't stop. We don't stop until that stops."
On the other side of the Columbia, WSDOT officials said they're at full staffing levels and prepared to take on any kind of precipitation.
"Travelers might experience any combination of rain, ice, snow, slush or series accumulation beginning Friday afternoon well into Saturday. So in terms of preparation, that means our crews are ready," said Kelly Hanahan, a spokesperson for WSDOT.
If you do need to travel, PBOT and TriMet are encouraging commuters to leave their vehicles home and take public transit, if possible.
"We always encourage people to use TriMet. We have professional drivers — they are trained to drive in the snow and ice," said Tyler Graf, a TriMet spokesperson.
He told KGW that TriMet starts preparing for the possibility of winter weather months in advance.
While TriMet makes efforts to ensure trains and buses are running on time, they acknowledged that winter weather conditions can lead to delays. Be sure to bundle up, be prepared to wait in extreme cold, and use extreme caution on sidewalks and streets. Riders are urged to visit TriMet's website for the latest updates on arrival and departure times.
Anyone can monitor road closures at this link here. Feel free to report any road hazards by calling PBOT 24/7 maintenance emergency dispatch at 503-823-1700 or email at pdxroads@portlandoregon.gov or use the PDX Reporter mobile website.