November 24th, 2009 9:02 AM
Oregon State Police (OSP) and ODOT encourage "Black Friday" shopping enthusiasts to keep their minds on safe driving - not sale prices - this weekend.
OSP Salem Area Command Lieutenant Eric Judah pointed out that shoppers are expected to begin arriving Thursday afternoon, November 26th, at the Woodburn Outlet Mall for their annual "Black Friday" sale. Heavy traffic congestion and significant back ups for several miles in both directions are anticipated on Interstate 5 at exit 271 throughout the night and into Friday morning. The heavy traffic congestion increases the potential for crashes in the area.
"With ODOT's help, we will work to keep the left and center lanes moving as most shoppers and travelers will use the right hand lane to exit off the freeway. Troopers working in the area will aggressively look for those who drive down the freeway shoulder, or drivers who stop in the left and center lanes to merge at the last possible chance prior to the exit," said Judah.
An ODOT Command Post at the top of the Woodburn interchange will monitor traffic during the night, and four Incident Response trucks will be working from 3:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m. Reader boards will be posted on Interstate 5 southbound prior to the Woodburn area advising through traffic to use left and center lanes and ALL mall traffic to use right lane.
ODOT will also use its Park-n-Ride property near the Denny's restaurant on Highway 214 just east of Interstate 5 as parking for shoppers the night of the sale. The space can hold several hundred cars, and the mall will provide a shuttle to and from the stores.
"Our objective is to keep traffic moving in both directions with minimal delay and to help shoppers get to the sales safely," Judah said.
### www.oregon.gov/OSP ###
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