ODOT Crews Are Prepared For Winter Weather

Saturday, December 8th 2007, 6:40 pm

By: News On 6

As winter weather is predicated to arrive, the Oklahoma Department of Transportation is again prepared for any upcoming snow and ice events. Statewide, key personnel are on 24-hour standby actively monitoring conditions and alerting crews as precipitation begins. In order for the sand/salt mixes to be effective, crews must visibly see precipitation before beginning material application on the highways and interstates.

Statewide, there are 1,200 ODOT maintenance and contractor personnel and 500 trucks in operation. Crews are split into shifts to allow for around the clock operation until the storm subsides and pavements are restored to near normal condition. ODOT has nearly 130,000 tons of sand/salt mixtures on hand in 105 sheds statewide to clear snow and ice. Tulsa and Oklahoma City metro areas are adding two more sheds in each city within the next month.

Oklahoma Department of Transportation and contracted personnel are in constant communication with each other and the Oklahoma Highway Patrol to better locate areas that may need additional attention.

In addition, when temperatures begin to drop, about 20 bridges statewide are equipped with de-icing applicators of magnesium chloride that can be activated to prevent ice accumulation. A majority of these bridges are in the northwestern part of the state and on elevated bridges in the metro areas, with additional systems planned to be added to bridges across the state in the near future. Because of elevations and air circulation, bridges and overpasses freeze before ground-level roads.

As crews commit themselves to providing safe driving conditions, the department asks motorists to use caution and heed sand trucks as they would all emergency services vehicles. In an effort to provide the best level of service possible during inclement weather, motorists will avoid damage to their vehicles if they stay behind the trucks at least 200 feet as salting/sanding equipment is engaged often without warning.

Drivers who must travel are advised to call the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety statewide road conditions number at 888-425-2385 or click here. For local road conditions, contact your local city or county offices.

Out of State Road Conditions:
Arkansas 800-245-1672
Colorado 303-639-1111
Kansas 866-511-5368
Missouri 800-222-6400
New Mexico 800-432-4269
Oklahoma 888-425-2385
Texas 800-452-9292