State highway crews battling snow in northeast Kentucky

Prepared to fight winter weather all week

FLEMINGSBURG, Ky. – Kentucky Transportation Cabinet crews continue to battle snow that’s falling on highways across much of northeast Kentucky.

At 9 a.m. today, Tuesday, Jan. 5, road conditions ranged from wet pavement to partly covered with snow. Motorists should drive with caution and watch for slick pavement.

Snow showers brought plow crews out Monday in all Department of Highways District 9 counties – Bath, Boyd, Carter, Elliott, Fleming, Greenup, Lewis, Mason, Nicholas and Rowan – to treat roadways with salt and other snow-fighting chemicals. Work continued overnight, and is expected to continue throughout the day.

With the National Weather Service forecasting several days of snow, District 9 highway crews are prepared to work 12-hour shifts all week to keep roads clear.

You can keep up with snow removal efforts by following District 9 online at http://twitter.com/kytcdistrict9 or keep up with snow plows statewide using KYTC’s online Snow & Ice Treatment Map at http://kytcgis.ky.gov/snow_ice/.

Kentucky travel information is available by dialing 511 or visiting online at www.511.ky.gov.

Road conditions are described as follows:

• Wet pavement – Ice could form as temperatures drop.
• Partly covered – Markings may be obscured by snow, slush or ice.
• Mostly covered by snow, slush or ice.
• Completely covered by snow, slush or ice.
• Impassable – Conditions unsuitable for all but emergency travel.

Motorists are reminded to always use extra caution when driving in winter weather and remember that bridges and overpasses typically freeze before surface-level roadways. Please share the road with Transportation Cabinet equipment, and buckle up!

The Kentucky SAFE Patrol – Safety Assistance for Freeway Emergencies – operates seven days a week on Kentucky interstates and parkways. SAFE Patrol drivers are equipped with blankets, shovels, reflective cones, auto fluids and other equipment to get motorists back on the road safely. Motorists can request SAFE Patrol by calling 1-877-FOR-KYTC (1-877-367-5982).