Last modified: Wednesday, December 20, 2006 10:50 AM PST Trip-check service makes a difference Julie Engel | Argus Observer Ontario When traveling the roads this winter season, a quick online check of conditions can make all the difference. About six years ago the Oregon Department of Transportation started a Web site - www.tripcheck.com - to help motorists save time and avoid travel headaches during the busy holiday travel season. The site details road conditions, construction projects and any traffic accidents on Oregon's roadways, ODOT Intelligent Transportation Systems Manager Galen McGill, Salem, said. The map on the Web site is broken down into different sections, and McGill said some of the mountain passes have live video feeds to show current conditions. The Web site will also show chain requirements for mountain passes throughout the state, he said. “As a whole, it provides people with advance information so they can make smart decisions on where to travel,” McGill said. The sidebar on the Web site provides “alert” information, McGill said, showing major events that will impact travelers. From storm warnings and traffic crashes to an amber or evacuation alert, McGill said the sidebar is the place to find up-to-the-minute information before heading out the door. Tripcheck.com is more than just a road condition online tool, McGill said. The Web site also offers information about lodging, restaurants, tourism, rest areas, snow parks and transportation options. The site is worth exploring, McGill said, because there are many handy tools available to travelers, such as a mileage calculator. “Most people know about the real-time road conditions,” he said. “There is a lot of handy stuff there that people might not always notice.” For those without Internet access, the 511 phone system is available. McGill said the information on the Web site is the same information on the 511 phone system.