A sign directs drivers to Interstate 84 on Monday, Nov. 9, 2020.

PENDLETON — Weekend storms hampered travel along Interstate 84 and Eastern Oregon mountain passes.

Snow and ice sent cars sliding off the road, prompting the Oregon Department of Transportation to close much of I-84 and Tollgate Highway on Sunday.

According to Tom Strandberg, who manages public affairs for ODOT in Northeast Oregon, there were no major crashes, but a lot of slide-offs, which indicated people couldn’t maintain control.

“It’s been a while since we had snow,” he said.

The closure for passenger vehicles on I-84 began around noon Sunday between Pendleton and La Grande. Eventually, it extended all the way to Baker City. Standberg said ODOT shut the freeway down as far east as Ontario for long-haul trucks.

“Snow was coming down and it was nasty all along the route,” Strandberg said.

The interstate reopened around 4 p.m., Strandberg said, while Tollgate remained closed until after 9 p.m.