Portland’s snow-covered streets have turned to ice, creating a bigger challenge for road crews trying to clear the road.
The roads around the metro area were slick and filled with cars that had spun or stalled. And the freezing conditions meant they would stay that way for a while.
Oregon Department of Transportation spokesman Don Hamilton advised people to avoid traveling on Friday if possible.
“The conditions are still very dangerous,” Hamilton said. “The roads are a bit deceiving. There are patches of very dry roads that can suddenly lead to icy conditions that surprise you.”
The Portland Bureau of Transportation closed more than 20 roads in the city due to unsafe conditions or cars blocking the road. They included hilly areas like Northwest Germantown Road, as well as stretches of major midtown arteries like Cesar Chavez Boulevard Southeast or Avenue 33 Northeast.
Transportation crews were applying deicer and salt in an effort to break up the slick spots — the transportation bureau said it applied 8,000 gallons of deicer and 45 tons of salt to city roads overnight — but transportation officials acknowledged it will be some challenging day.
- How to Drive in Portland Snow (If You Must)
The Oregon Department of Transportation used graders — heavy equipment typically used for road construction — to flatten ice on state highways around the region, as well as salt. But agency spokesman Don Hamilton said road crews can’t use snowplows to break up the ice because that would damage both the plow and the road.
Public transit agencies warned riders that icy conditions could cause delays — and slippery platforms. The Portland streetcar was running late Friday morning, and TriMet was encouraging riders to delay their ride if possible.
The transit agency said MAX trains are running on all lines, but riders should expect delays, with trains arriving every 15 to 20 minutes. More than a dozen bus lines had suspended service Friday morning and others were diverted.
TriMet said it would not turn away anyone seeking warm shelter, regardless of their ability to pay the fare, until 10 a.m. Saturday.
Which Portland roads are closed due to ice?
The Portland Bureau of Transportation maintains a list of nearly two dozen road closures as of midday Friday. Metro-area freeways remained open early Friday afternoon, but crashes were causing lane closures, according to the Oregon Department of Transportation’s TripCheck website.
Which TriMet and MAX bus lines are operating? Which ones aren’t?
Service on more than a dozen bus lines were suspended Friday morning, with others detoured and MAX trains may be delayed. TriMet’s LIFT paratransit service is also limited until Saturday morning for people with life-threatening conditions. Find the latest at trimet.org/alerts.
— Brother Ramakrishnan; jramakrishnan@oregonian.com
