Winter Weather Preps Underway Across N.C. by
RALEIGH – Road crews across North Carolina are preparing roads, bridges and overpasses ahead of freezing temperatures and winter precipitation that’s forecast to have an impact from the mountains to the coast this weekend. Get real-time traffic and weather updates at ReadyNC.org, by downloading the ReadyNC mobile app or calling 511. Related Links: How NCDOT Prepares for Winter Weather Safety Tips When on the Road Live, Up-to-Date Travel Conditions “The N.C. Department of Transportation is monitoring the approaching storm, and we are ready to respond as needed,” Acting Transportation Secretary Mike Holder said Friday. Since preparations started Wednesday, road maintenance crews have treated major routes, bridges and overpasses with about 2 million gallons of brine – a saltwater solution that lowers the freezing temperature of treated surfaces and prevents ice and snow from sticking to the pavement. More than 3,200 employees, 1,900 vehicles – equipped with plows and spreaders – and hundreds of front-end loaders, backhoes and motor graders are on standby to clear and treat roads as soon as possible. NCDOT’s weather response plans allows for crews and equipment to be shifted, as needed, and for contractors to supplement NCDOT crews. When clearing roadways, NCDOT prioritizes interstates and essential primary routes first. After these roads are clear, the priority shifts to clearing lower-volume primary roads, high-volume secondary roads, lower-volume secondary roads and then subdivision streets. “Once winter weather begins, we urge drivers to avoid travel, if possible, to protect both them and our crews who will be working to clear our roads as quickly as possible,” Holder said. The N.C. State Highway Patrol is also urging drivers to stay off the roads, if possible, and to use extra caution if they have to be out. Those who must drive should remember to: Leave early with their vehicles full of gas and their cellphones fully charged. Plan for significant additional travel time and expect delays. Wear seatbelts, reduce speed, avoid using cruise control and leave plenty of room between their vehicles and others. Approach bridges and overpasses with extreme caution, and, unless necessary, avoid applying their brakes while on a bridge or ramp. (Doing so can cause a driver to lose control of their vehicle.) If they begin to slide, take their foot off the gas and turn the steering wheel in the direction of the slide. (Avoid applying the brake, which could cause further loss of control.) Completely stop or yield the right of way when approaching an intersection, in case any vehicles coming from other directions lose control while also trying to stop. Additional information about severe weather and safety tips for motorists is available on NCDOT.gov. For real-time travel information, visit DriveNC.gov, and for the latest updates, follow NCDOT on Twitter and Facebook.
 |
| Click this image to view at original resolution |
NCDOT crews in the Triad prepare for winter weather on Thursday, Jan. 5, 2017. ***NCDOT***