Since Christmas Eve, The Dalles Area Command of the Oregon State Police has assisted 202 stranded motorists and handled 184 reported crashes — 41 of which occurred within the past week.

The decision to close Interstate 84 at Troutdale rather than Cascade Locks was made over traffic concerns, said Dave Thompson, ODOT spokesperson. He explained that when I-84 is closed — during snow events, for example — truckers that are driving through often wait outside the closure area until conditions improve. ODOT did not want truckers to line up in Cascade Locks, he said, since there were comparatively fewer amenities available than in Troutdale.