NCDOT Forces Focused on Secondary Roads by
ASHEVILLE — Cars full of families, trucks full of goods and visitors seeking snow all cruised easily through western North Carolina on Saturday. N.C. Department of Transportation engineers cleared all interstates, highways and primary roads of snow before noon on Saturday, allowing the same forces to focus on secondary roads. Warmer temperatures and spots of sunshine helped more than 1,200 employees in nearly 850 trucks clear major roads for residents and visitors before sunset. NCDOT forces have spread nearly 16,000 tons of salt and nearly 5,000 tons of sand to improve road safety since the storm began on Friday. Sub-freezing temperatures overnight could create additional hazards where ice — or black ice — freezes on the roads. Crews across the western half of the state will work through the night to address icy spots with sand, salt or a mixture. Other problem spots may be scraped with a motor grader. Major roadways in Division 10 — specifically in Anson, Cabarrus, Mecklenburg, Stanly and Union counties —are clear and wet, so officials will continue monitoring and treating elevated surfaces as needed. Crews will be on standby tonight to salt any icy spots. Motorists are advised to use caution and remain alert for black ice overnight and Sunday morning. The interstates and major primary roads in Division 12 — Alexander, Catawba, Cleveland, Gaston, Iredell and Lincoln counties —are clear with some icy patches. Most maintenance yards in the division will keep a small crew on standby to monitor any areas that may refreeze overnight. The eastern mountain areas — from Avery to Yadkin counties — were sprinkled with various amounts of snow during the storm. Once major roadways like Interstate 77, I-74 and U.S. 421 were cleared, crews were able to move to secondary roads within their counties. Employees will work overnight on icy spots and areas blocked from midday sun by mountains and hills. The interstates in the greater Asheville area were cleared overnight. Light traffic overnight helped allow trucks to make significant progress before sunrise. Those trucks continued working primary roads with a concentration on the secondary roads. In the far western counties of the state, truck drivers focused on pushing snow and ice, while other NCDOT employees worked to remove trees from the road. Trees that fell into power lines had to remain until power companies declared the areas safe. Every lane of all interstates and primary highways are cleared, while secondary roads are either clear or partially covered.
 |
| Click this image to view at original resolution |
***NCDOT***