It is reported that several vehicles skidded on the hazardous road when heavy snow and icy weather forced this section of Interstate 80 over Donner Pass to be closed. This is one of the major joints between the Sierra Nevada mountain passes in California and Nevada.
The deteriorating conditions proved to be a threat to travelers, so the authorities closed this stretch of I-80. It must have required very effective collaboration among the California Highway Patrol, Caltrans, and the rest of the officials involved in quickly containing the situation as they possibly could. The road had already been temporarily shut down to ensure public safety.
The three-day winter system in the Sierra Nevada has already dumped so much snow throughout the state. Snowfall rates built up pretty aggressively, leading to a coating of heavy layers of snow and ice on the highway, making the driving conditions really slippery and hazardous. The CHP even came forward with warnings and weather advisories, urging people to be watchful on the roads. Still, vehicles could only attempt to struggle through the icy roads at Donner Pass. According to reports by the CHP, many vehicles spun out of control along the stretch of road along the Donner Pass, with some of them going completely off the road.
The heavy snowfall, combined with strong gusts of wind, made it difficult to maintain visibility through the pass; the drivers could not see very far ahead. Snowplows and emergency personnel worked throughout the night; however, the speed at which it snowed proved to be too much of a challenge to keep the highway open during those long hours. The CHP again stressed the advisability that I-80 be closed because the increase in spinouts and minor accidents continued throughout the night.
Toward the hazardous situation, Caltrans and CHP joined forces to close sections along I-80 so that no traffic was permitted in any direction. Caltrans provided additional snowplows and salt trucks to help keep the road open, and CHP created checkpoints to curtail entry into the contaminated area. The drivers were re-directed and advised to take diversion routes or hold off on the trip until the condition improved.
The CHP also advised drivers to carry chains as the state legislation requires putting chains on the tires as one travels through mountainous areas, particularly if snow conditions prevail. Some are prepared with chains and basic supplies, but others are awakened too late as the weather becomes worse. In view of the wet and heavy storm, the CHP calls on its operating drivers to check road conditions and weather information before embarking on a trip.
The closure of the I-80 across Donner Pass has naturally caused much disruption in travel plans for many people, especially since it is one of the primary connections between California and Nevada. Truckers and other commercial vehicles that were moving goods between both states had to put up with tricky situations because they had to wait till the conditions improved before resuming their journeys.
Local communities near Donner Pass were also affected as people prepared themselves for more snow and limited road access. Some local towns had to suffer with power cuts and some provisions were delayed due to the complete closure of the road, which further amplified problems with the winter storm.
It also badly affected tourists and skiers who had planned to travel to nearby resorts, forcing them to make some detours or postpone their journey. As a year-round destination, especially in the presence of snow cover on the Sierra Nevada mountains, the temporary closure puts a temporary halt on recreational travel, though resorts and businesses hope the roads soon will reopen and they can resume.
Caltrans is, with the CHP, monitoring the storm and taking every precaution to open I-80 as soon as it is safe for traveling. They advise drivers to check the road conditions themselves and stay up to speed on road conditions, having snow chains in their vehicles, so they are prepared in case they must deal with delays. Officials advise the people already on the roads to exercise extreme caution and to reduce their speed as much as possible.
Closing I-80 over Donner Pass brings home the risks of winter travel into mountainous areas. As long as snow and ice linger, it remains important for CHP and Caltrans to work towards increasing public safety and opening roads to facilitate easier travel in the future. Until then, stay informed, beware, and wait for better road conditions before making nonessential travel plans.
