Georgia DOT crews have been out in force all night plowing snow, pushing it out of the roadways and salting them since 7 o’clock on Tuesday night.
129 snow/ice clearing crew members using 76 removal units have responded to the snowstorm that blanketed much of northwest Georgia with 2-4 inches of snow. Most crews were plowing and salting, although some employees were responding to fallen trees and other problems.
Motorists are urged to travel only if necessary since northwest Georgia is experiencing a deep freeze that is causing extremely difficult driving conditions. “Our crews will continue to work until all our highways are clear and safe for everybody. But please stay off the road if at all possible and give them time and space to do their work,” said Dewayne Comer, district engineer at the GDOT office in Cartersville. When winter weather hits northwest Georgia, keeping the highways safe for emergency vehicles becomes a top priority GDOT crews focus first on clearing interstates and heavily traveled state routes from snow and ice, and specifically target areas vulnerable to freezing, like hills, ramps, bridges, overpasses, and interchanges.
If you have to drive, please slow down and stay behind the snowplows. The road behind the plow will be the safest place to drive. Allow at least ten car lengths between your vehicle and snowplows or hopper spreaders. Do not pass. The plows are wide, and sometimes a group of trucks will work in tandem to clear snow quickly, especially on major highways. Be particularly aware of black ice conditions on surfaces such as bridge decks and entrance and exit ramps late tonight and the early hours of tomorrow morning.
Please call 511 or visit www.511ga.org to get current information on road conditions. Georgia 511 is a free phone service that provides real-time traffic and travel information statewide, such as traffic conditions, incidents, lane closures, and delays due to inclement weather. Callers also can transfer to operators to request assistance or report incidents 24 hours a day, seven days a week. More information is available at www.511ga.org.