Snow makes driving difficult on I-84 West outside of La Grande, Oregon earlier this month. A shortage of snow plow drivers could cause delays on the roads as the forecast for the holidays predicts snow. Officials urge people to drive carefully and be prepared with chains and traction tires.
Kristyna Wentz-Graff / OPB
Oregon Department of Transportation officials are reminding travelers to use extra caution when visiting family and friends this week and during the holiday weekend.
The National Weather Service forecast snow for much of Oregon, including parts of the Willamette Valley, as of Friday night. Snow is expected to increase starting Sunday for portions of the Portland subway and across the Interstate 5 corridor to Ashland in the south.
Snow could continue to exist in areas east of the Cascades, including communities along US Route 97 like Klamath Falls and Bend, and Oregoners crossing the mountain passes should certainly expect significant amounts of snow and ice.
“We know a lot of people have travel plans this weekend. We really want to encourage drivers to take extra time and be patient, ”said Katherine Benenati, an ODOT spokeswoman.
According to Benenati, this is Labor shortage Felt nationwide also affects ODOT. While the state is doing everything in its power to move resources to areas that could cause problems due to winter weather, ODOT asks travelers to be patient if they don’t see the level of service they expect.
“Please keep that in mind. If you can stay home in bad weather this winter, stay home, ”said Benenati.
For those whose travel plans are set in stone, ODOT has its annual Winter driving guide available on his website.
It suggests using traction tires or carrying chains to lengthen the braking distance in snow and ice and to use the state Travel check Website to see live updates on road conditions and closures, as well as webcams that give travelers an insight into current conditions and traffic.
Benenati advises that some in-car GPS systems cannot be updated in real time. So check your route ahead of time to make sure your travel isn’t blocked.
“Remember all of these safety tips and plan your trip,” she said.
