Slick Roads Cause Major Traffic Issues For Tulsa Area

As freezing conditions continue Monday night, Tulsa city crews and ODOT are working around the clock to treat roads.

Icy roads caused at least 139 crashes across Tulsa Monday. The worry is roads re-freezing, so crews plan on being out all night and morning to treat them.

A crashed car and flashing lights closed a road in Sand Springs. Nearby in a residential area, two cars got stuck on a hill. On Highway 412, a car toppled over in the icy grass after losing control, and dangerous conditions closed roads from east to west to downtown Tulsa Monday.

"We haven't had icy roads in a while and sometimes you may overestimate your skill level," said Adam Paluka with EMSA.

EMSA reported more than 139 crashes Monday in the Tulsa area. Paluka urges people just to stay off the roads to keep them passable for emergency crews.

Drivers who were forced to go out had to scrape away at icy windshields before battling slippery and treacherous roads.

"The refreezing and precipitation are causing major issues for us, and we expect that will be the same case tonight," ODOT spokesperson Kenna Mitchell said.

Mitchell said crews will be out as long as they're needed, applying salt and sand to Oklahoma's highways. Tulsa city crews are also working throughout the night to treat 1,770 miles of roads with salt.

Mitchell said to stay far back from work trucks and if you can, just stay at home.

"We'll be out as long as it takes," Mitchell said.

ODOT has a live map of road conditions on the website here.

The city of Tulsa said after treating main city streets, crews will salt roads based on how dangerous they are and how many people live nearby.