If You're Heading East From Now Until Nov., Expect Delays

Starting today and continuing until the first "significant" snowfall in Snoqualmie Pass, drivers should expect up to 20-minute delays just east of the pass. The Department of Transportation says there will be rolling slow-downs and halted traffic on I-90 between mile posts 57 and 59 near Keechelus Lake. The WSDOT is doing some drilling up on the pass to begin a new project, creating a six-lane highway between Hyak and Easton. Because of the rugged terrain (it is the mountains, folks) equipment is brought to the scene in helicopters. According to FAA rules, a clear space must be provided for emergency landing purposes when a helicopter carries equipment over the Interstate. That's all fine and good with us. Lord knows we don't want to meet our end like an action movie enemy, with a gigantic industral drill crashing down on our car from a helicopter.