Snow and Weather Related Closures in Oregon & SW Washington

We will update this information throughout the night; Interstate 5 in the Portland metro area remains heavily congested.

Salem-News.com

(SALEM, Ore.) - Closures and delays are pouring in right now from Portland and other parts of Oregon. We will keep a close eye on weather developments and update this information as we move through the night.

Please heed all warnings and suggestions and take the time needed to get anywhere you may have to travel. Also, it is very important to let people know when and where you expect to arrive.

Drive slow and don't assume that four wheel drive gives you a license to drive at higher speeds. These vehicles only have marginally better control in extreme conditions. Also, remember that you may be the best driver in the world, but the other driver is someone you have no control over. Anticipate the worst, slow down and allow plenty of room between vehicles. Please be safe.

Businesses:

Waste Management: Garbage and recycling service delayed on Tuesday for some Waste Management customers in Portland West Hills, Milwaukie, Beaverton, Tigard, Gaston and unincorporated Washington County. Please leave carts at curb for collection on Wednesday, weather permitting.

Cities:

City of Beaverton: The Beaverton City Library will close early today at 5:00 p.m. City of Tualatin: Tualatin Library to close at 6:00 p.m.

Counties/Regional:

Multnomah County: All libraries closed at 6:00 p.m. this evening. UPDATE

Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District: Effective 4 p.m. today, the Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District has canceled all programs, classes and activities for the day (Tuesday, Dec. 29). This is due to mounting snow and concern about hazardous driving conditions for patrons and employees. All programs, classes and activities scheduled to start at 4 p.m. or later today are canceled. A decision about Wednesday's schedule will be announced later.

Fort Vancouver Regional Library Dist.: All FVRL libraries in Clark and Cowlitz County closed at 6:00 p.m.

Federal:

US Army Corps of Engineers, Portland District: * District headquarters: Two-hour delay -- employees should report within two hours of normal arrival.

* The Dalles Lock and Dam: Normal work operations, but unscheduled leave is approved if travel conditions prevent reporting to work. (Effective tomorrow - Wed Dec 30th)

Medical:

Legacy Health: Due to storm conditions, all evening community education classes & activities are canceled.

OHSU: OHSU Hospital visitors urged to delay trips to OHSU until road conditions improve.

Virginia Garcia Clinics: All clinics closed at 4:00 p.m.

Organizations:

Albina Head Start/Albina Early Head Start: Albina Early Head Start and Head Start ERDC classes will be closed December 30, 2009 (Effective tomorrow - Wed Dec 30th)

Multnomah Co. Library: All Multnomah County libraries will close at 6 p.m.

Portland Parks & Recreation:

Portland Parks & Recreation: Buckman Pool, Laurelhurst Dance Studio, Matt Dishman Community Center, Montavilla Community Center, Multnomah Arts Center, Peninsula Park Community Center, St. Johns Community Center, and University Park Community Center are closed. All programs and events are canceled.
- East Portland Community Center is closed at 7:00 p.m. UPDATE

Private Colleges & Universities:

George Fox University: Newberg campus and Portland Center will open at 10:00 a.m. (Effective tomorrow - Wed Dec 30th)

Private & Charter Schools

Portland Christian Schools: Extended care opens at 8:30 A.M. (Effective tomorrow - Wed Dec 30th)

SW Wash.: St Joseph Parish/School: Wednesday 8AM Mass canceled. (Effective tomorrow - Wed Dec 30th) UPDATE

Public Schools:

Polk Co. Schools: Dallas Sch. Dist.: Boys Basketball Tournament CANCELED, buses returning to the district.
Girls Basketball Game CANCELED. Check Wednesday for reschedule info.

Public Colleges & Universities:

Chemeketa Community College: All Chemeketa Community College campuses are closed as of 4:00 p.m.

Mt. Hood Community College: Evening activities canceled.

Transportation:

C-TRAN: WEATHER ALERT #4 With winter weather conditions still in place in certain areas, C-TRAN has announced it will begin service with the following routes on snow routes today, December 30, 2009:
#2 Lincoln
#9 Felida
#19 Salmon Creek
#32 Hazel Dell only In addition, the following routes will have additional changes as described:
#190 Marquam Hill: Service will connect to Trimet Route #8
#47 Battle Ground Limited: No service to Yacolt
C-TRAN will continue to monitor conditions this morning and will announce any chages when they happen. For information, please visit www.c-tran.com or tune into local news media including www.flashalert.net. Information and assistance is also available between the hours of 6 a.m. and 7 p.m. weekdays by calling C-TRAN passenger service at (360) 695-0123. UPDATE

Cherriots - Salem Keizer Transit: All buses on regular routes. ODOT/Portland, Mt. Hood: Interstate 5 in the Portland metro area remains heavily congested--clogged--by rush-hour traffic. Motorists entering the Portland metro area on I-5 from BOTH the south and north are advised to use Interstate 205 as an alternate route: Avoid I-5 in the metro area!

ODOT/Southwestern Oregon: Southbound Interstate 5 reopened at 10 p.m. with groups of 40-50 cars being metered at a time over Siskiyou Pass into California. Chain restrictions are in effect. "Travel is going to be slow for a couple hours," said ODOT Assistant District Manager Shawn Stephens. "Hopefully, the worst of the storm is behind us but our Ashland maintenance crew will work on I-5 all night."

Northbound Interstate 5 reopened at 9:10 p.m. with chain restrictions, following a four-hour closure at the request of Caltrans.

Use www.Tripcheck.com or dial 511 for road updates. Road and weather information is also available within Oregon by dialing (800) 977-ODOT (6368). California road conditions are online at the Caltrans Web site, http://www.dot.ca.gov/cgi-bin/roads.cgi or by calling 511 within California or (800) 427-7623 outside the state.

ODOT/Willamette Valley, No. Coast: OR18 (Salmon River Highway) is no longer closed from mile post 6 to mile post 21. ODOT crews still report icy conditions. Drivers are advised to delay travel through the area or use alternate routes. Carry chains or use traction tires if travel is necessary. UPDATE

ODOT/Willamette Valley, No. Coast: ODOT crews report snow and slick conditions on OR 22 (Willamina -Salem Highway) west of Salem and on OR 99W (Pacific Highway West) north of Newberg, causing vehicles to lose traction. Please delay travel if possible. Carry chains or use traction tires if travel is necessary.

Utilities:

Allied Waste Services: Portland Metro, Clackamas and Washington County service areas expect limited delays for garbage and recycling services depending on road conditions and at higher elevations. Please contact your local office for updates in your areas.