PDOT: Commuters should take transit on Thursday

Here’s the latest press release about the storm from PDOT (also available online):

City Encourages Commuters to Take Transit Thursday
Expect variable conditions

­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­The City of Portland advises commuters to expect variable road conditions throughout the day Thursday and therefore to take transit. If you have to drive, pre-fit and carry chains in your vehicle. According to the National Weather Service, the system that arrived today may bring more precipitation and freezing temperatures through tonight, the Thursday morning commute, and the evening commute. Portlanders could wake to freezing rain or snow, with snow showers expected throughout the day.

Most highways, transit routes, emergency response routes, and major arterials are in good condition today. The public is advised, however, that conditions are still variable. Although most major streets have clear pavement, expect patches of ice, packed snow, and black ice on side streets, neighborhood streets, and particularly in the hills. The West Hills are especially icy still.

Maintenance Operations crews continue to remain on full callout to clear main streets of ice and respond to this new storm system. Crews are focusing on primary and secondary routes today, as well as known hazard areas in the hills, shady spots, and places where the wind could not blow off the snow and cars could not drive on the street to break up the ice. Keeping emergency response routes, transit routes, and high volume traffic streets open and clear is the City’s priority.

Motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians are advised to look out for each other and share the road responsibly.

Stay tuned to local weather forecasts and traffic reports. Log onto TripCheck.com for highway road conditions and use the Portland Winter Travel Info link for local street closures and restrictions and other emergency management information.