State transportation officials say State Route 2 may remain closed between Leavenworth and Stevens Pass until a significant weather change.

The 35-mile stretch of highway has been closed since Saturday evening, after trees crashed down on two cars and killed two people.

The highway is one of two primary east-west routes through the mountains usually open during the winter.

Transportation spokesman Jeff Adamson told The Wenatchee World (http://is.gd/wI8gq6) trees along the roadway are overloaded with snow and pose a hazard to drivers. Transportation officials don't have a way to clear the snow off tree branches so they just need to wait for warmer temperatures or wind to move the snow.

Adamson says 7,000 to 10,000 drivers cross Stevens Pass on a typical holiday and they will have to cross the mountains on Snoqualmie and Blewett passes this year.

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Information from: The Wenatchee World, http://www.wenatcheeworld.com