The State - News from Jan. 29, 1988

The speed limit on Interstate 80 over Donner Summit will be lowered to 40 m.p.h. during future Sierra storms, even before chain or snow tire restrictions are put in effect, a Caltrans spokesman said. Maintenance engineer Jim Hochstrasser said that many of the traffic problems over the summit occur in the early stages of a storm when people drive too fast for conditions. Under the new plan, called Snowflake 40, the speed limit will be reduced to 40 m.p.h. between the Kingvale and Donner Lake interchanges as soon as snow begins to fall. When chains or snow tires are required, the limit drops to 30 m.p.h. Signs calling for the 40 m.p.h. limit have been installed.