The following is from the Portland Office of Transportation:

Warmer Temperatures Help Clear Roads

(Portland, OR) - The City of Portland Transportation Maintenance Bureau remained in full callout through Wednesday night, continuing to plow, sand, and de-ice emergency response routes, transit routes, major arterials, bridges, overpasses, and some side-streets. At the end of today’s morning commute, staff will evaluate the situation and determine resources necessary to meet demands as the city recovers from Tuesday’s unexpected snow and ice event. City crews, even if not on full callout, will be working in some capacity to continue to clear roads and prevent additional freezing.

Weather and Road Conditions
Temperatures hovered just above freezing in lower elevations through the night, which kept melting snow and ice from freezing on roads. Higher elevations remain a challenge in the west hills and the east side. Temperatures are expected to warm today with a chance of scattered flurries today and tonight. Milder and wetter conditions are forecasted to take us into the weekend, slowly melting and clearing streets and getting the city back to normal.

Major arterials and transit routes are in pretty good condition this morning. Motorists are advised that a lot of neighborhood side-streets still have snow and ice. Although warmer temperatures should help clear them the rest of this week, motorists are advised to drive carefully and slowly, steer slowly, avoid sudden turns and stops, brake gently, and be especially careful at intersections. The smart and safe alternative is still to take transit.

Road Closures (as of 5:00 am Thursday, January 18, 2007)
The following road closures are still in effect. The Transportation Maintenance Dispatch Office updates them as soon as they are notified of a change in status by crews or Police.

· SW St. Clair between Burnside and Yamhill (closed at 11:55 AM Tuesday)
· SE Steele between 39th and 41st (closed at 3:55 PM Tuesday)
· SW Sheridan between Barbur Blvd and 1st Avenue (closed Tuesday)
· SW Hamilton east of SW Corbett (closed 10:20 PM Tuesday)
· SW View Point Terrace south of SW Hamilton (closed 8:00 PM Tuesday)
· SW Orchid at 55th Avenue and west (closed 3:00 PM Wednesday)
· SE 72nd Avenue between Hawthorne and Harrison (closed 2:45 PM Wednesday)
· SE Clay Street between 72nd and 74th Avenues (closed 2:45 PM Wednesday)
· I-5 Corbett off-ramps (closed 3:55 PM Tuesday, uncertain of current status)

Roads Re-Opened

· NW Balboa between Front and St. Helens (closed at 11:35 AM, re-opened at 1:30 PM Tuesday)
· SW 35th Avenue at Pomona (closed at 11:59 AM, re-opened at 1:40 PM Tuesday)
· N Graham between Kerby and Borthwick (closed at 10:31 AM Tuesday, re-opened at 9:00 AM Wednesday)
· N Time Oil Road between Burgard and Rivergate (closed at 10:41 AM Tuesday, re-opened at 11:30 AM Wednesday)
· SW Jefferson at 5th Avenue (closed at 12:35 PM Tuesday, re-opened)
· SW Curry between SW Kelly and Macadam (closed at 2:50 PM Tuesday, re-opened at 1:36 PM Wednesday)
· SE 45th Avenue between SE Knapp and SE Harney (closed 4:15 PM Tuesday, re-opened at 10:00 AM Wednesday)
· SW Sam Jackson Park Road (closed to all but emergency response vehicles Tuesday, re-opened Wednesday but traction devices are required)

· SW 20th between Salmon and Yamhill (closed 5:10 PM Tuesday, re-opened at 2:47 PM Wednesday)
· SW Salmon between 18th and 20th (closed 6:05 PM Tuesday, re-opened 2:47 PM Wednesday)
· SW Gaines between Kelly and Hood (closed 5:19 PM Tuesday, re-opened but traction devices are required)
· SW Gibbs between Kelly and Hood (closed 5:17 PM Tuesday, re-opened 5:19 PM Wednesday)
· NW Miller Road at Wood Rose Loop (closed 2:52 PM Tuesday, re-opened 5:05 PM Wednesday)
· SW Sheridan at SW 4th Avenue, eastbound (closed 4:30 AM Wednesday, re-opened 9:45 PM Wednesday)
· NW 25th Avenue between Westover and Kearney (closed 11:03 AM Wednesday, re-opened)