Astoria, OR – According to the state officials, Northbound Interstate 5 south of Eugene remains slow and congested due to overnight crashes.
Consider delaying your travel until later this week if possible.
If you must travel, be prepared for conditions as difficult as the weekend. Even areas where snow and ice began to melt in the daytime, overnight lows are expected to refreeze it Monday and Tuesday nights.
If you must travel, carry chains – even if you have traction tires or four-wheel-drive – plenty of fuel, snacks and blankets in case of delays.
Some highways have reached the point where chains are required regardless of four-wheel-drive.
On Sunday night, vehicles spinning out, crashing or losing traction on northbound I-5 in south Lane county blocked the interstate for hours, causing a backup of traffic stopped on the highway.
ODOT crews and Oregon State Police needed to awaken drivers sleeping in their cars between midnight and 3 a.m. Monday, and there were off-ramp backups of vehicles heading for fuel stations.
