Georgia DOT begins brine operations on Georgia roadways overnight; treatment of roads continues today
ATLANTA, GA - Ahead of the increasing threat of snowfall and icy conditions expected to arrive across much of Georgia early Friday morning, the Georgia Department of Transportation (Georgia DOT) began active brine operations overnight which continued this morning across metro Atlanta and north Georgia, with application of brine continuing throughout today in areas expected to be the most impacted by snow accumulation, sleet and freezing rain. Crews are working 12-hour shifts and are prioritizing treating interstates, state routes, bridges and overpasses both north and south of and along I-20. Georgia DOT crews began arriving from South Georgia yesterday to help supplement existing manpower and equipment in the metro Atlanta area; those brine crews joined forces with metro Atlanta crews last evening to assist in applying brine to metro area roadways. Snowplow and removal crews and additional equipment will arrive today and will respond in support of metro Atlanta crews when snow begins to fall, and active removal begins.
Georgia DOT regularly treats roadways, bridges and overpasses with brine, a mixture of salt and water which is used as a preventative treatment to limit the bonding of ice to the pavement. A total of thirty-one (31) brine tankers, each with a 5,000 gallon capacity, are available statewide for deployment to apply brine treatment to interstates, state routes and other critical routes. More than 20,000 lane miles of roadway will have been treated at least once by early Friday, with ongoing monitoring of roadways and the potential for the application of additional brine, salt and gravel as conditions warrant.
A Winter Storm Watch has been issued for North Georgia, Metro Atlanta, and parts of Central Georgia for Friday morning through Saturday morning. The Winter Storm Watch will likely be upgraded to a Winter Storm Warning as this weather system approaches and could be expanded to include more counties. Travel conditions will begin to deteriorate with the onset of wintry precipitation Friday morning, and road conditions could change quickly.
For their safety, motorists in affected areas are asked to plan now to limit travel as much as possible from Friday morning through mid-day Saturday. Avoid driving unless absolutely necessary or postpone until daylight when road conditions may be more visible. If you must venture out during this time, please drive with extreme caution and give GDOT crews room and space on the roads to help ensure they can safely do their jobs. Please be aware of the brine trucks and know they must travel 40 mph to properly apply the treatment. Motorists are also advised not to pass a Georgia DOT truck spreading salt or gravel, as gravel may kick up and damage vehicles which are following too closely. Please pay attention and stay back at least 100 feet.
Additionally, with the forecast of potential ice accumulation across the region, there is possibility for fallen trees and downed power lines. If you come across either, do not cross them and report them to your local authorities or 911. Turn around and take an alternative route. Above all, do not try to clear tree limbs or other debris from roads as live power lines might be tangled in debris and pose a deadly hazard. Please report these instances and wait for Georgia DOT and Georgia Power crews to handle downed power lines and clear debris.
For real-time traffic assistance or information, or to report an issue on Georgia roads, contact 511GA by dialing 511 hands-free on your mobile phone, download the 511GA app or visit 511GA.org. For a list of facts and materials related to Georgia DOT's winter weather preparedness including fact sheets, photos and video, please visit https://www.dot.ga.gov/GDOT/pages/WinterWeather.aspx.
Georgia Department of Transportation plans, constructs and maintains Georgia's state and federal highways. We're involved in bridge, waterway, public transit, rail, general aviation, bike and pedestrian programs. And we help local governments maintain their roads. Georgia DOT and its nearly 4,000 employees are committed to delivering a transportation system focused on innovation, safety, sustainability, and mobility. The Department's vision is to boost Georgia's competitiveness through leadership in transportation.
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