Last Updated on February 11, 2014 3:58 pm
Brining and snow removal operations were ongoing today in northwestern North Carolina as N.C. Department of Transportation crews continue preparing for the latest round of winter weather.
Snow fell Monday night on some mountain counties in Division 11, which includes Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Caldwell, Surry, Watauga, Wilkes and Yadkin counties, and crews worked today to clear that snow from roadways. Currently, interstates and primary roads in the division are clear with possible icy spots in some areas. Some icy patches also remain on a few secondary roads.
While snow-removal operations were ongoing in the division's mountain counties, other crews in the region continued brining operations that started Monday. Some areas in the division saw rain on Monday, so NCDOT crews re-applied brine where the solution might have been diluted or washed off the road.
Since Monday, Division 11 has placed more than 48,000 gallons of brine on roads in northwestern North Carolina.Division 11 has the necessary manpower, equipment and supplies in place to handle the coming winter storm, which the National Weather Service says could produce heavy snow and treacherous driving conditions.
Motorists are asked to stay off the roads, if possible. But if you must travel, NCDOT offers these safety tips:
Clear windows and mirrors;
Reduce speed and leave plenty of room between you and other vehicles;
Approach bridges and overpasses with extreme caution and do not apply your brakes while on a bridge unless necessary;
If you begin to slide, take your foot off the gas and turn the steering wheel in the direction of the slide. Do not apply the brakes as that will cause further loss of control of the car;
Come to a complete stop or yield the right of way when approaching an intersection in case any vehicles coming from other directions lose control of their vehicles while trying to stop;
Be on the lookout for fallen tree limbs and power lines from snow/ice accumulation. NCDOT crews work with local power companies to remove the fallen limbs and downed lines as quickly as possible;
If you have a cellular phone, take it with you. You can contact the Highway Patrol statewide by calling *HP (*47) or call law enforcement by dialing 911. But please don’t call 911 to check on road conditions. That line must be kept open for emergencies.
