Transportation Cabinet preparing for snow

Storm track, snow totals remain uncertain

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Jan. 27, 2010) — Kentucky Transportation Cabinet crews are preparing for a strong weather maker that forecasters say could dump several inches of snow across much of the Commonwealth.

“It looks like parts of the state could get hammered with significant amounts of snow,” acting Transportation Secretary Mike Hancock said. “Our crews across the state continue to monitor the developments and make preparations accordingly.”

Crews began pretreating priority routes across most of the state today and will be ready to fully mobilize when snow arrives, Hancock said.

Forecasters remain uncertain of the storm’s exact track and total snow accumulations. The National Weather Service this morning indicated the potential for a half-foot of snow in parts of southern Kentucky and 1-3 inches farther north, around the Louisville and Lexington areas.

The state has ample stocks of brine — a water and salt mixture used in pretreatment — salt and calcium chloride, which, combined with salt, is also an effective anti-icing agent.

Local storm response strategies are primarily planned from each of the cabinet’s 12 highway district offices: Paducah, Madisonville, Bowling Green, Elizabethtown, Louisville, Covington, Lexington, Somerset, Flemingsburg, Jackson, Manchester and Pikeville.

“Our district engineering staff and county maintenance crews represent years of experience in planning and effectively responding to these events,” Hancock said. “We will work around the clock to keep Kentucky roads in the best possible condition.”

During significant snow and ice events, staffing in the cabinet’s 24-hour Traffic Operations Center is increased to coordinate and distribute information throughout the state.

The public can access updated travel and weather information online at www.511.ky.gov or by dialing 511.

Motorists should always use extra caution and allow plenty of travel time when driving in wintry weather. Bridges and overpasses typically freeze before surface-level roadways