Drivers may want to pass on pass

Warnings from the governor, the Washington State Patrol and transportation officials to stay off Snoqualmie Pass were working well Tuesday.

Too well, said Brian Desivo, an employee at CB’s general store, restaurant, motel and towing service in Easton, Wash., 12 miles east of the Nov. 6 rockslide that reduced Interstate 90 traffic to one lane in each direction.

“They’re killing us,” Desivo said. Fewer cars on the pass mean fewer people stopping at CB’s.

“It’s devastating for us. They’ve cut our business in half, if not more,” he said.

But the warnings from Gov. Christine Gregoire and others to find alternative routes – particularly as families prepare for traditionally heavy Thanksgiving weekend travel – are continuing.

Delays could reach 16 hours, said Department of Transportation spokesman Mark Ettesvold. Cars were already backing up Tuesday afternoon, and when all of those vehicles hit the road to return home Sunday, the waits could be staggering, he said.

To make matters worse, forecasters say snow could start falling as early as Friday. A large storm could dump several inches Sunday night, said meteorologist Matt Fugazzi of the National Weather Service.

“The best bet for now would be to leave Saturday night,” Fugazzi said. Forecasting computers predict the storm will hit in the Cascades early Sunday afternoon and Eastern Washington a few hours later.

That’s the busiest time to cross the mountains this weekend, Ettesvold said. Traffic statistics from last year show heavy travel in both directions Sunday afternoon, all the way until midnight.

“People should seriously rethink their travel plans, consider alternate routes if you must travel, and if you must, do it between 9 p.m. and 9 a.m.,” Ettesvold said.

Delayed travelers won’t have access to food, restrooms or fuel, and should plan to be stuck for hours in the cold, he said.

Those looking to avoid the highway might try other transportation.

Horizon Airlines had a few seats open for flights out of Spokane this weekend, and Amtrak, which sends trains through a tunnel deep under Stevens Pass, is also an option, spokeswomen for both companies said Tuesday.

Flights with Horizon have been up 10 to 15 percent since the rockslide, said airline spokeswoman Jen McSkimming.