Chain Enforcement on I-90, Is there a better way?

As much as I feel for the WA State Patrol's task during snowy weather, I think that the current method of chain enforcement on I-90 is not working.

It may be keeping the Pass open longer...but it seems to be doing so by effectively 'closing' the road before you get to the Pass.

Normally the drive takes me 20-30 minutes from North Bend. On Saturday, the 3.5 mile backup took my 2 hours to negotiate. Today I measured the backup (on the way down thankfully) at 7.5 miles. KOMO-TV says it was up to 10 miles.

I have heard that the ski resort estimates it is losing $50k a day when chain enforcement is in effect.

Now, I understand that the number of accidents - particularly with Semis - is probably down. Thats a good thing - I am just not sure that this is the only way to achieve this.

What do you think?

I have heard that most of the BIG problems have been caused by SEMIs not chaining up when required too. I have even heard that they sometime chain up only on the side they think they cops will be looking at. Should they make the Denny Creek exit a 'Semi Chain station' akin to the weight stations you see elsewhere?

Are there other good ideas?

Anyone know who would be the best person to send complaints too? Is this the best way: www.wsp.wa.gov/business/complain.htm

Michael

the only suggestion I can think of is to have signs up telling all-wheel drive cars and trucks to get into the lefthand lane several miles before the chain-enforcement check and let that lane or lanes cruise on through the checkpoint.   Of course I'm sure plenty of non 4x4 cars would try to sneak though, but perhaps some way of letting the traffic get into specific lanes beforehand might keep things moving a little faster?

My strategy has always been just to leave really really early and beat the traffic. 

Some earlier ranting on the same.

www.turns-all-year.com/skiing_snowboardi...dex.php?topic=4220.0

I think the increased enforcement will help.  It only takes one or two Hondas with crappy tires to shut down the pass for 2 hours while they try and get a tow truck through the traffic jam to clear it. 

I lived at the pass for 3 years and as a commuter I would have appreciated a consistent enforcement. 

In my experience, you can only get up there as fast as the person in front of you.  Most of the time they are freaked out, white nuckeled and rolling slowly in the left lane b/c they are scared to change lanes.

The trucks are a problem and in the past they have been a little late to require chains. By then one or two are stuck blocking traffic.

The only thing that has worked for me now that I live in North Bend is to get up there early.

Thanks Korup - looks like it was frustrating me then too.

Dave - great skiing with you today (I think it was you ) On the Coombas...

In my experience before the chain enforcement there were backups early in the season as people got used to the fact that it was no longer summer. As we entered January things smoothed out, sure there were spinouts and accidents but one could consistently get to the pass quickly with a minimum of problems.

Since chain enforcement has been put in place its a crap shoot. Its worse than planning a commute from Redmond to Seattle via 520. Its faster to drive to Crystal or Stevens from North Bend when Chain enforcement is in place. That says something is wrong to me and that the current WSP solution - while effective at getting people to put on their chains is not a workable long term solution.

To me, the current method of chain enforcement is effectively 'closing the pass' for hours or entire days. Something that used to happen only occasionally for accidents - mostly for avy control.

It just amazes me that the such a main artery, *an interstate* ever closes, except during exceptional blizzards. This statement from the dot website just cracks me up- emulating Donner Pass?!?!?!?! 6 inches in twelve hours? Seriously? 

Traffic Flow Management, a new process to WSDOT, has received a lot of attention. This process has been successfully implemented on Donner Pass in California and used for many years. By managing the traffic flow over Snoqualmie Pass, WSDOT is able to increase safety for motorists. The majority of traffic incidents on Snoqualmie Pass occur eastbound just before the summit. A single spinout can easily lead to a chain reaction pileup and hours of traffic backups. Traffic Flow Management adjusts the number of vehicles per hour across the pass. This method reduces the risk of collisions and allows WSDOT maintenance crews to safely remove roadway snow and ice. WSDOT crews use this operation when the weather forecast predicts six inches of snow within a 12 hour period.