KYTC Crews Pre-Treating Roadways in Advance of Winter Weather
Give salt trucks room to treat roadways for afternoon commute
SOMERSET, KY (January 31, 2013) – Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) road crews in District 8 are pre-treating roadways today in preparation of the snow forecasted for this afternoon and continuing into Friday. The pre-treatment of "salt-brine" prevents the snow from bonding to the pavement making it easier to plow off roadways.
Motorists should be alert for slow moving trucks and escort vehicles as crews go about pre-treating today. Motorists should slow down and use appropriate caution anytime they approach or meet pre-treating crews out on the highway.
District 8 personnel have the responsibility for clearing more than 4,800 miles of state-maintained highways in the counties of Adair, Casey, Clinton, Cumberland, Lincoln, McCreary, Pulaski, Rockcastle, Russell and Wayne. Crews are prepared to work long hours clearing any accumulation from the roadways.
When bad weather hits, crews are assigned 12-hour shifts to plow and treat roads using a priority system based on the amount and nature of traffic within each individual county. Priority A routes include major through routes and are those most heavily traveled. Priority B routes include other important, but lesser traveled, state routes. Other roads fall into Priority C.
Condition reports on major routes are available by calling 511 or logging onto the 511 travel and traffic information website at www.511.ky.gov. Road conditions are described in the following manner:
Wet Pavement – The roadway is wet. Ice could form as temperatures drop.
Partly Covered – The roadway is partly covered with snow, slush or ice. Markings may be obscured.
Mostly Covered – The roadway is mostly covered with snow, slush or ice. Roadway markers may be difficult to see because of packed snow and rutting conditions.
Completely Covered – The roadway is completely covered with snow, slush or ice and markings are obscured.
Impassable – Roadway conditions are not suitable for travel unless required by an emergency.
The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, through the 511 service strives to provide the most descriptive and up-to-date information for motorists so they know what to expect when they get out on the road.
