Oregon Public Broadcasting

Heavy snow is covering roads throughout Oregon, making conditions challenging for motorists and truckers trying to get around. Pete Springer reports.

In the Portland area, the Oregon Department of Transportation is requiring chains on most vehicles operating on state roads. 

Christine Miles is a spokeswoman for ODOT. She says four wheel drives don’t need to have chains installed, but they should be carrying chains since conditions can change.  

Christine Miles “It doesn’t matter how big your vehicle is—ice is ice. And we’ve found a lot of semis even though they’re carrying heavy loads, they’re having a tough time getting up event the slightest incline. So that tells us that it’s time that they put on their chains and you know—we want people to be safe, not be sorry.” 

Elsewhere in the state, I-84 remains closed between Troutdale and Hood River.  And a portion of Highway 26 is closed between Forest Grove and the coast. 

ODOT officials say you should stay home if you can, but if you’re going to venture out, log in to tripcheck.com to check road conditions first.