Snow halts planes, trains and automobiles
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Amtrack suspended train service from Eugene to British Columbia because of a three railcar derailment in Portland and heavy snow.
Long and unpredictable delays are reported at Portland International. Even Greyhound service between some points is iffy.
Most of the problems are in the Northern half of the state. Rain is falling in Eugene and freezing rain is reported in Salem.
Planes
Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air are having trouble resuming service after cancellations caused by winter weather.
The airlines announced they hoped to resume some service Monday in Seattle and Portland. But a spokeswoman for Horizon, Jen Boyer, says they continue to have delays because of a number of problems. A delay at one airport, for example, will prevent a plane from making its schedule at other airports. Delays also cause crews to time out, or use up all the work period they are allowed.
The airlines and airports in the Northwest are still dealing with snow and freezing weather that caused the weekend cancellations.
Thousands of people have been stranded at Sea-Tac Airport for days as airlines have canceled flights because of winter weather.
Airport spokesman Perry Cooper says he hopes no one stranded Monday will still be on hold at Christmas.
Perry says the airport has been distributing water and blankets. The concessions have food, the bathrooms are working, and he says there are no reports of tempers out of control.
Hundreds of flights have been canceled since Friday. The airport normally handles about 900 flights and 90,000 passengers a day this time of year.
Trains
A spokesman for Burlington Northern, Gus Melons, says derailment of train cars Monday caused the first delays but that weather has cut service as crews work to correct the problem.
Portland MAX trains are running, but irregularly. The red line to the airport was closed this morning because of frozen switches. Shuttle service was being offered to blue line passengers and from closed MAX stations.
Most government offices and schools are closed or have delayed openings.
Most courthouses and city offices also are closed or plan afternoon openings.
One to eight inches of sow are possible in the Columbia Gorge, with another two inches in the Portland area.
Automobiles
Interstate 84 east of Portland was shut down for a second day. Transportation officials said it couldn't be opened until the winds abate and slick conditions improved.
Two state highways — Oregon 6 and 26 — through the northern edge of the Coast Range were closed. Amtrak service was canceled or delayed.
The Greyhound bus terminal was closed Sunday morning, and the bus company said it would decide on Monday whether to reopen. Travelers in Salt Lake City stayed at the terminal because of poor road conditions on the way to Oregon.
(Copyright 2008 The Associated Press.)
