KYTC District 9 crews in NE Kentucky standing by for winter storm duty
Plow trucks geared up, salt loaded
FLEMINGSBURG, Ky. (3:30 PM, Friday, Jan. 12, 2018) – At this hour, Kentucky Department of Highways District 9 crews in northeast Kentucky remain on standby with salt trucks loaded and snow plows ready to roll as a winter storm approaches the region.
Highway equipment operators in Bath, Boyd, Carter, Elliott, Fleming, Greenup, Lewis, Mason, Nicholas and Rowan counties are now on 12-hour shifts, focused on snow removal operations. Plow trucks have been loaded with salt and equipped with tire chains to help if roads get icy. Salt domes are stocked with about 20,000 tons of salt – more than enough for several storms.
Currently, road conditions are reported as wet pavement. Air temperatures are averaging about 34 to 36 degrees, with pavement temps around 40 to 42 degrees.
The National Weather Service expects today's rain to transition to freezing rain later this afternoon followed by several inches of snow overnight into Saturday. Western Kentucky highway crews already report several inches of snow on the ground.
Highway crews in District 9 will remain on duty around the clock until the winter weather threat passes. Until roads are clear, motorists should exercise caution and patience, and remember:
- Be prepared for slick travel, even with salt trucks on roads, as freezing rain can create ice that's harder to remove from pavement. High winds and drifting snow can obscure travel lanes, creating hazardous conditions.
It takes time to clear snow from 2,000 miles of roadways. Crews plow heavily-traveled Priority A routes first, and keep plowing until they hit all roads. See priority routes and learn more at http://SnowKY.ky.gov.
As snow falls, it piles up behind plows. Roads probably won't be clear until the storm passes. But, crews are dedicated to working 12-hour shifts until the job's done.
If you don't have to drive in snow, don't. If you do, take it slow, leave space between vehicles to allow for safer braking, and remember that bridges and overpasses can freeze before roadways. Check real-time traffic info at http://GoKY.ky.gov.
The public may also follow District 9 operations on Twitter and Facebook at http://twitter.com/KYTCDistrict9 or http://facebook.com/KYTCDistrict9.
