FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Nancy Wood
859-341-2700 (office)
859-380-4644 (cell)
nancy.wood@ky.gov
KYTC District 6 Snowfighters will report in early Tuesday morning for next snow event
Plan your morning commute accordingly
Covington, KY - (Dec. 11, 2017) - The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet District 6 snow and ice removal crews will be reporting in at 3 a.m. Tuesday morning, December 12.
The latest forecast says that flurries will be entering the Commonwealth tonight into the morning on Tuesday. The potential for slick spots on roadways, especially overpasses and bridges is possible. Crews will be on standby ahead of the snow event to assist with the morning rush hour. They will remain on duty until roads are in the best possible condition.
There is a layer of treatment on most roads leftover from Saturday’s storm. We would like to remind folks that the anti-icing agents that we use (salt, brine and calcium chloride) are agents to assist in treating roadways during winter snow and ice events. They can only do so much. Other variables such as pavement temperature, air temperature, intensity of the storm and timing of the storm also factor in. Please note the highlighted information at the bottom of the page on ways motorists can be safe and prepared. Remember to take it slow in the snow!
The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) has a webpage just for snow and ice information. Know before you go! The public can visit http://snowky.ky.gov to learn more about priority routes, access helpful winter weather tips and fact sheets and view informational videos on salt application and snow removal.
District 6 starts out with 31,350 tons of salt each winter season stored in the domes located at the state maintenance facilities. There are 136 trucks available to treat state highways and interstates.
Maintenance crews in KYTC District 6 have responsibility for clearing over 2,000 miles of state-maintained highways in the counties of Boone, Bracken, Campbell, Carroll, Gallatin, Grant, Harrison, Kenton, Owen, Pendleton and Robertson. That equates to 4,670 “lane miles” – all driving lanes from rural state roads to interstate highways. District 6 state maintenance crews are prepared to work to keep roads in the best possible condition during winter weather.
In the northern Kentucky counties of Boone, Kenton and Campbell, District 6 is responsible for 1,871 lane miles of roadway. Crews have stockpiled 16,500 tons of salt and over 26,000 gallons of brine for de-icing in the three counties. Seventy-six trucks are available for snow and ice removal – three of which will concentrate on the six-mile section of I-75 between Buttermilk Pike and the Brent Spence Bridge that includes the “Cut in the Hill.”
Every snow storm is different and presents unique challenges, such as air temperature, pavement temperature, timing of snowfall and ice. Last year District 6 crews used 10,307 tons of salt, approximately 131,031 gallons of salt brine and 15,281 gallons of liquid chloride for snow and ice events. In all, District 6 spent $4.2 million on equipment, materials and labor.
You are an important part! Safe travel begins with YOU!
Be prepared:
The following measures will help keep motorists safe and prepared:
· Put yourself in emergency mode
· Pay attention to weather advisories. Weather will impact your commute on some level
· Travel only as necessary during major snow events. It’s better to be stuck at home than to be stuck on the road
· Maintain a safe distance from snowplows and other heavy highway equipment
· Do not pass snowplows on the shoulder
· Allow time for a slower commute
· Winterize vehicles
· Supply vehicles with blankets, flash light and an emergency supply kit
· Know before you go. Visit goky.ky.gov and download the free Waze app to check traffic conditions before you travel
· Eliminate distractions (e.g. operating phone and eating) while driving
· Cooperate with the expectations of the Quick Clearance law, which requires drivers to move vehicles to the shoulder in the event of a non-injury crash
To remain informed during snow and ice season and throughout the year, visit http://transportation.ky.gov/district-6/Pages/default.aspx and follow KYTCDistrict6 on our Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/KYTC.District6 and on our Twitter page at https://twitter.com/KYTCDistrict6.
If you don’t do your job, you can inhibit our capability to do ours.
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