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| ODOT News |
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Holiday jam spreads along Interstate 5
Dec. 21, 2007
For more information, contact Jared Castle (541) 957-3656
Motorists should expect delays from California border to Canyonville
A mix of holiday travel, snowstorms on the Siskiyou Pass and bridge repair work is causing major congestion on Interstate 5 from the California border to Roseburg.
The Oregon Department of Transportation reported backups extending as far as five-to-eight-miles earlier this week. Bridge repair projects underway near Grants Pass and Myrtle Creek reduce I-5 to a single lane in each direction. Combined with the first major snowstorms on the Siskiyou Pass and increased traffic volumes for the holidays, delays along I-5 are common.
“Congestion occurs when there’s a break in the storm,” said ODOT District Manager John Vial. “Trucks tend to bunch up and wait for a clearing. Anywhere a lot of trucks and heavy holiday traffic meet will cause congestion.”
Vial encourages local motorists to use alternate routes to avoid congestion and delays.
“Putting chains on a big rig can be difficult,” said ODOT Motor Carrier Spokesperson Sally Ridenour. “But spending 30 minutes chaining up in a designated chain-up area is a better use of your time than spending five hours waiting for a break in the weather.”
Up-to-the-minute road condition updates are available on ODOT’s travel information Web site www.Tripcheck.com or by calling 511. For anyone who cannot access 511, road and weather information can also be accessed toll-free within Oregon by dialing (800) 977-ODOT (6368). From outside Oregon, the long-distance number, (503) 588-2941, remains available.
For more information on California highway conditions, visit the Caltrans Web site at http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/roadinfo or call (916) 445-7623.
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