March 24, 2020 3:10 a.m.
Vehicle owners in Oregon will not be required to remove studded tires until May 1st.
Information from the Oregon Department of Transportation said the change is in response to the current public health emergency as steps are taken to slow the spread of COVID-19.
The update said winter tires with protruding metal studs damage the surface of the roads, requiring more frequent and expensive maintenance and are typically allowed each winter season from November 1st through March 31st. The extension was approved due to limited business hours and social distancing measures currently in place.
Information about how ODOT is taking steps to slow the spread of the virus is posted at: https://www.oregon.gov/odot/pages/incident.aspx