Document text
53 °F Forecast | Road Cams Wednesday, February 25, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find a Rental Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Email Story to a Friend February 8, 2004 Motorists can find the pass unfriendly Weather at lower elevations approaching the summit can lull drivers into being unprepared By PAUL FATTIG Mail Tribune Unlike Ogden and his slow-moving fur trappers, many of today’s fast-paced motorists aren’t ready for severe weather conditions that can envelope Interstate 5 over the Siskiyou Pass in winter. In part, that’s because the summit is approached from relatively mild weather conditions to the north or south, causing many travelers to challenge the pass unprepared, experts say. "There is this I-5 mentality that, when I get on it, I’m going to go 70 miles an hour all the way," observed John Vial, local district manager for the Oregon Department of Transportation. One unprepared motorist, without chains or appropriate tires, can spin out of control in snow or ice, endangering or halting the progress of others who are prepared. Once the traffic stops during periods of heavy snowfall as it did late in December, problems quickly multiply as traffic backs up on the steep grade, Vial said. Advertisement Some 27,600 vehicles rumbled over the pass on Saturday, Dec. 27, the day before the closure. More motorists were likely on that section of I-5 the following day when it was closed, officials said. "We’re struggling with all these people who are frequently unprepared for going over the Siskiyous," he said. When it comes to challenges, the Siskiyou Pass section, with grades of up to 6½ percent, is probably the most challenging of any site on the entire interstate, he said. Those grades are the steepest allowed by federal highway regulations. "You’ve got very steep grades, super corners," he said. "You mix that with winter weather and, if travelers aren’t prepared, you are going to have some serious problems." As a result of the problems that arose late in December with hundreds of motorists stranded for 20 hours, agencies that deal with traffic emergencies on the Siskiyou Pass have been meeting to update contingency plans for closing the freeway. That includes ODOT, Oregon State Police, California Highway Patrol, American Red Cross, Jackson County Sheriff’s Department and local fire and rescue crews. The goal is to improve coordination and communication, Vial said. "We are identifying where improvements can be made to ensure we don’t leave anyone stranded again," Vial said. But Mother Nature will always be in the driver’s seat when it comes to closing the pass, he said. "The bottom line is, when we have big winter storms come in like that (in December), we are going to have to close it," Vial said. Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback 3 WEEKS FREE! ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S RESOURCES Oregon Road Conditions & Cams SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Food for Thought Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities Prime Times