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TDOT preps salt trucks, plows as snow moves in

Published January 27th, 2010 | 0 Comments

Tennessee Department of Transportation maintenance crews are applying brine to roadways, loading salt trucks and prepping snowplows in preparation for Friday’s predicted winter storm.

A wintry mix of ice and snow is expected to fall across the state Friday, and TDOT is reminding drivers when there’s ice and snow: take it slow — slower speed, slower acceleration, slower steering and slower braking.

“When our crews hit the road, give them room to work,” said TDOT Maintenance Director Greg Duncan. “Maintain a safe distance and avoid tailgating or stopping too close to a snowplow because they’re usually spreading salt or brine from the back of the truck, and those materials can damage a vehicle’s paint.”

TDOT crews in East Tennessee are applying brine to state roadways in anticipation of the potential winter weather. Brine is a mix of salt and water that is sprayed onto roadway surfaces before snow and ice begin to fall. Brine helps prevent snow and ice from bonding to the road surface, making it easier to plow the roadway.

TDOT said that in the Tri-Cities, enough salt has accumulated on roadways due to recent snows that brine is not needed.

When snow hits Tennessee, TDOT maintenance crews first focus on clearing interstates and heavily traveled state routes, specifically areas vulnerable to freezing like hills, curves, ramps, bridges and interchanges.

TDOT has more than $12 million available for snow and ice removal operations across the state this year. Statewide, TDOT has 831 salt trucks, 822 snowplows, more than 160,000 tons of salt, more than 1 million gallons of brine, and more than 1,200 employees available to help clear roadways during snow events.

TDOT and the Tennessee Highway Patrol remind motorists to dial *THP from any cellular phone should they become stranded or need assistance when on the road.

All Tennesseans can monitor roadway conditions before leaving home by visiting the Tennessee 511 Web site at www.tn511.com or by dialing 511 from any land line or cellular phone.

“It’s important to plan ahead and know the road conditions before you leave the house,” Duncan added. “Before leaving home, everyone should ask, ‘If it’s snowing should I be going?’”

For more information about TDOT’s winter weather program, including safe driving tips, visit www.tennessee.gov/tdot and click on the “Ice and Snow: Take it Slow” logo.

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