Local News

The Oregon Department of Transportation says motorists should prepare for heavy traffic this Veterans Day weekend, especially in the Willamette Valley.

Interstate 5 will be particularly busy because Oregon State University and the University of Oregon have home football games on Saturday. That's in addition to Veterans Day parades and events planned around the state through the weekend.

Traffic is likely to be heavy all day Saturday in the Willamette Valley, with the Beaver game starting at 2:30 p.m. and the Duck game starting at 7:30 p.m.. Fans traveling to and from these games will clog local roads and highways.

Several Oregon communities are hosting Veterans Day events that might affect highway traffic directly. One such event is the Veterans Day Parade in Albany, which will require closures from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m..

ODOT officials say always remember to put your traveling plan together now. Leave early, be patient and stay alert so you can react to sudden stops in traffic, quick lane changes by other vehicles, and leave plenty of distance between you and others.

Keep current on road and travel conditions by visiting "TripCheck.com."