Newswire: Weather advisory from PBOT

CITY STREETS THAWING BUT STILL SLICK AND SLUSHY
Posted: December 30th, 2009 5:59 AM

(Portland, OR) – The Portland Bureau of Transportation is reporting that yesterday’s surprise snowstorm still has city streets slick and under cover of slush. Major arterials are in good condition, but many neighborhood residential streets are still hazardous this morning. The public is advised to take it slow and easy while warmer temperatures gradually thaw streets and sidewalks.

WEATHER FORECAST
-Temperatures above freezing and rising will help thaw city streets and sidewalks.
-Rain showers will help clear streets of snow and slush.

CURRENT CONDITIONS – December 30 at 5:30 a.m.
-City streets mostly drivable
-Slick spots
-A lot of slush
-Neighborhood residential streets still under cover of some snow and slush

TRANSPORTATION OPERATIONS
-City crews worked through the night applying de-icing chemical on major arterials and known hazard areas.
-Crews worked the West Hills through the night, de-icing West Burnside, Sam Jackson Road, Council Crest, Skyline, and Cornell and plowing where needed.
-Crews responded to requests from TriMet to de-ice trouble spots on transit routes.
-Portland Streetcar continues to operate, although it is subject to delays as it moves along with slow vehicular traffic in these conditions.

SAFETY ADVISORIES
-Take public transit if possible.
-If you must drive, delay your trip until conditions improve.
-Drive slowly and cautiously.
-Leave extra distance between you and the vehicle in front of you.
-Share the road responsibly with pedestrians and bicyclists.
-Know before you go. Check www.PublicAlerts.org for breaking news and information on service alerts for city streets, highways, public transit, and utilities.
-Recover your abandoned vehicle as soon as possible. Any vehicle creating a safety hazard is subject to towing.
-Clear your sidewalk of snow and ice as soon as possible.

CITY OFFICES
-Mayor Sam Adams announced this morning that all City offices are open during their normal business hours.
-All City employees are expected to work their normal schedule. Any employee who cannot safely report to work in time must notify their supervisor. The absence will be excused, and missed time will be charged to accrued leave.