In times of winter weather, travel in North Georgia can be precarious at times.
The potential for snow or ice exists as an arctic blast arrives overnight and Georgia Department of Transportation officials are continuing their work to ensure that the state’s highways are as safe as possible for those who have to be out on the roads.
GDOT District Engineer Kelvin Mullins discussed preparations in the 21 Northeast Georgia counties that make up District 1.
Mullins said GDOT prioritizes which travel routes are treated first but adds they all receive attention when needed.
“We have some critical routes that are identified,” Mullins said. “Interstates are the priority, then we go down the state routes – you know 365, 400, some of those and then we prioritize the state routes. But we're hitting those all in all over the district right now. We're going to get all of those roads done before the really cold temperatures come in. After that, when it does get cold, we'll be treating bridges and wet spots with the salt mixture.”
Brining of roads involves applying a salt and water mixture to roads and bridges to help prevent them from freezing as temperatures plummet. The technique of using brine began in Georgia after Snowmageddon in 2014 paralyzed Atlanta travel.
“It has made a big difference,” Mullins said. “It has been something we've only done for a couple of years and we're in full force with that now and we're continuing to grow and expand that operation and finding different ways working with other states to make it better, but it definitely helps to treat the roads before the events. The biggest concern is not with this event, but if there's a big rain, it'll wash it off. We won't have that with this event. But that's really the concern is getting the timing of getting the brine down on the road after the heavy rain, so it doesn't wash it away before it gets cold.”
GDOT also now stores more of its treatment materials at sites around the district, making response times quicker than a decade ago.
“We have salt at all of our salt barns around the district strategically located which helps us get out more quickly,” Mullins said. “We still have one main brine plant location, which is down near the I-85/985 split. That's where most of the brine comes from. We’ll go down there and fill up, but we have some other locations of that too. It's definitely good to have some of that regionally located.”
Mullins offered a word of advice for those who plan to drive overnight tonight – don’t do it unless it is essential.
“It’s going to get really cold, probably after midnight or so is what I saw last. So definitely stay off the roads if you can. And if you are on the roads and you see our equipment, stay back 100 feet. Give us room, give us space, slow down and just be very careful. Be wary of black ice and that kind of thing, but the best thing you can do is stay home.”
