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

Owning a Subaru is the closest thing I've found to having an express lane pass through the check/choke point.

Sitting in an hour long backup from MP 43 to MP 47 does suck...

However in pre "traffic flow managment" days I've been stuck for much longer periods when a semi ended up sideways across all four lanes, a spin-out lead to a massive pileup, etc -- I've seen solid backups all the way frm the pass to North Bend in the past.

I think the WSDOT is wise to force motorists to bunch up on the relatively flat miles leading up to MP 47 so that the climb from MP 47 to MP 52 is less crowded and there is more room to avoid crashing into a spun out car.

There is a better way: more tunnels. WSDOT is going to add more snowsheds to lesson avalanche related closures:

www.wsdot.wa.gov/Accountability/Weekly/2007/11_30.htm

I have seen those backups too but they werent that often and seemed more likely early in the season.

The Traffic Mgt 'closures' are almost everyday right now.

Whenever there is snow.

Unfortunately, I dont think snow sheds will help here unless they were to cover the entire route .

It seems the WSP would rather inconvenience everyone so they don't have to be inconvenienced later. I don't see why 6-8" of snowfall should cause a road closure so often.

Related story......
www.komotv.com/news/local/12836852.html

There is a better way:  more tunnels.  WSDOT is going to add more snowsheds to lesson avalanche related closures:

www.wsdot.wa.gov/Accountability/Weekly/2007/11_30.htm

The improved snowshed plans are for along Lake Keechelus -- east of Snoq Pass.   -- The DOT does need to improve I-90 from Hyak to Easton -- as much as this is needed -- it won't help the North Bend -> Snoqualmie section.

I don't have access to the DOT accident reports -- based on what I've seen over the years -- for snow related accidents I'll bet that Eastbound MP 50-52 accounts for a lot of the accidents -- that last pitch where the road curves and steepens right before the Alpental exit.   I've seen unchained semis sliding sideways across the curved part of that road.

I wonder how total traffic volumes on I-90 compare now to 5 - 10 years ago -- It seems there are significantly higher -- with big backups forming on summer holiday weekends with no snow in sight.

If the DOT had buckets of money -- they could build a sloped tunnel from MP 47 directly to Hyak  -- that would do the trick.