Crews were busy sanding and de-icing up on the Siskiyou Pass. Traffic slowed on I-5 early Tuesday morning from all the snow and ice on the roadway.
But it wasn’t just high elevations that saw snow.
Medford driver John Brawner, said he was cautious Tuesday morning.
“Needed chains and had to go slow,” he said.
However, many other drivers weren’t so careful.
“We had about, more than 40 crashes in both Jackson and Josephine Counties […] twice as many that number were spinouts and crashes that weren’t reported,” said Gary Leaming, Spokesman for the Oregon Department of Transportation.
Off the state highways in Jackson County, Roads officials were also hard at work.
“3/4 of an inch of snow on the Valley floor packed down and turned to ice very quickly,” said Director of Jackson County Roads, John Vial.
“It wasn’t as much of a snow event as it was an ice event,” he said.
County and state crews worked around the clock to make sure roads were a bit safer for drivers. They said they’re preparing for more weather, set to roll in Wednesday.
“We have a game plan, we have all hands on deck. We’re de-icing and sanding. We’re getting ready for the next wave,” said Leaming.
Officials say drivers can be prepared by carrying an emergency kit and chains in the car. And when it comes to getting behind the wheel…
“Slow down, increase your driving distance, leave plenty of time to get to your destination and expect the unexpected,” Leaming cautioned.
As for driver like John Brawner, if any more snow decides to fall, he said he’ll be waiting until later in the day to drive.
Before heading out the door, drivers can get updated road conditions at www.tripcheck.com. The mobile version of the site can also be accessed on smartphones.
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