ODOT, Redmond Airport and travelers deal with frustrating – and dangerous -impacts of winter storm across Oregon

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) --   Across Central Oregon Sunday, it was time to dig out from as much as a foot or more of snow.

With piles a foot or more deep, snow is covering and blocking sidewalks driveways and side roads.

 The Oregon Department of Transportation says its crews are making good progress on clearing state highways across Central Oregon.

 "They were working on U.S. 20 and Greenwood (Avenue)and that area," ODOT Region 's PIO Kacey Davey said Sunday. "They're also continuously plowing and grading in tandem, which means two in a row on U.S. 97. So they're both down south, near the top of (Lava) Butte and in Bend and in between Bend and Redmond."

ODOT also has trucks working the road to Mt. Bachelor for skiers and boarders wanting to take advantage of what the resort says is more than five feet of new snow.

The Mt. Bachelor website did report possible lift delays because of Sunday morning ice.

Plow drivers also face delays and dangerous challenges from others on the road.

Davey said, "Throughout this storm and statewide, we've had almost a dozen of our vehicles, so incident response trucks, sanders and plows, hit by people. Not only is this dangerous for everybody involved, but it takes these vehicles out of commission."

According to ODOT, drivers are attempting to pass the plows on the right and trying to pass through plows operating in tandem, causing collisions.  

Travelers also faced challenges at the Redmond Airport all weekend. Delays or cancellations tied to region-wide weather issues can be tracked at FlyRdm.com.

Bend resident Eric Lilley said, "It was a bummer to spend a trip to and from Redmond (Airport) yesterday. but you know just did it again today."

I spoke with Redmond Airport Director Zachary Bass over the phone.

"This morning, we've had about four or five cancellations," Bass said. "Mostly because of those aircraft not coming in or remaining overnight for that early morning flight this morning. So that's what we've seen. But since then, we've actually seen departures take place and kind of back on schedule throughout the morning and mid-morning." 

With delays and cancellations, many travelers are having to leave and return to the Redmond Airport for a second time.

Crooked River Ranch resident Amy Visger said, "Having two kids, getting all ready and the flight, getting canceled, it was pretty, just disappointed and very frustrating. So my husband had to rebook the flight immediately."

Bass said the airport runways are cleared with plows, chemical de-icer, blowers, and brooms. He added that the runways and ramps have been kept operational throughout this storm.