Thursday, December 11, 2008

KYTC road crews treating for snow and ice

 

FLEMINGSBURG, Ky. – Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) road crews in Department of Highways District 9 are treating roadways in northeast Kentucky as freezing rain continues to fall across the region.

Salt truck crews are out, and are expected to remain out overnight, in Bath, Boyd, Carter, Elliott, Fleming, Greenup, Lewis, Mason, Nicholas and Rowan counties.

Roadways are wet, and ice could form as temperatures drop into the mid-20s. National Weather Service forecasts call for continued precipitation, including snow. Motorists are advised to drive carefully, allowing plenty of time to get to destinations.

Other driving tips include:

  • Slow down, and remember that bridges and exit and entrance ramps can be icy when other areas are not.
  • Leave enough room between you and the car in front of you because stopping in snow may require up to four times your normal stopping distance.
  • If you skid, stay calm and ease your foot off the gas while carefully steering in the direction you want the front of your vehicle to go.

Road condition reports in Kentucky are available by calling 511 or by logging on to the 511 travel and traffic information Web site at http://511.ky.gov.

In District 9, crews are prepared to clear a path through snow and ice on more than 2,000 miles of roadways whenever winter weather is predicted with 75 trucks and operators, about 15,000 tons of salt, and tens of thousands of gallons of salt brine and liquid calcium. More information is available online at transportation.ky.gov/d9/Snow.htm.

Motorists are reminded to share the road with KYTC equipment, and always buckle up and Drive Smart. Kentucky’s Snow and Ice Treatment Map is available online at http://kytcgis.ky.gov/snow_ice.

No comments: