Highway
crews across the region are winding down their snow and ice-fighting
activities this evening. Efforts today have been directed mainly at
clearing remaining ice and
slush from highways and plowing back shoulders to allow water to run
off the pavement.
The
wind has been helping to dry the pavement to help reduce the
opportunity for re-freezing during the overnight hours. Traffic
engineers remind everyone that there are still
likely to be some slick spots out there, so appropriate caution is
advised.
There
is some concern about the low temperatures and humidity to create the
potential for black ice to form overnight. Please be aware that
tonight’s lows down into the mid-teens
will greatly reduce the impact of salt and other ice-fighting
chemicals.
All crews will have a truck loaded with salt and ready to roll on short notice during the night should slick spots develop.
Motorists who plan to be out overnight should use appropriate caution.
Kentucky Transportation Cabinet crews also spent time today responding to sporadic reports of downed
trees and limbs. Winds in the 10 to 15 mph range with gusts
to 25 mph overnight could create
the potential for additional ice-laden trees to fall. Crews are
prepared to respond should problems develop.
KyTC
engineers are in the process of evaluating salt supplies. At this time
salt supplies are adequate for normal winter weather. However, after a
series of major back to
back weather events, a couple of additional major events could put a
strain on supplies. Engineers are checking inventories of salt and
calcium chloride and will be considering going into salt conservation mode at some time in
the future.
