GEORGIA – The Georgia Department of Transportation asked for the public’s patience as crews continued to treat and plow roads across the state Wednesday morning following the winter storm that brought snow and ice to the area.
According to GDOT, crews were focusing their work on interstates and secondary routes that were posing particular challenges due to icing caused by precipitation and extremely low temperatures.
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Officials said ice is the “most challenging roadway condition” for GDOT crews to combat, and added that even where interstates are relatively clear, many secondary routes are iced over and extremely hazardous.
“This is a highly unusual winter weather event impacting nearly three-quarters of the state and our crews cannot be everywhere at once,” said Georgia DOT Commissioner Russell R. McMurry. “Georgia DOT will need time, ability to access the roads to treat or plow, and warmer temperatures working in our favor to help restore and maintain passable conditions.”
GDOT said black ice is “always a concern at night,” because even if the ice clears or melts during the day, the extremely low temperatures overnight will likely cause refreezing to occur. For that reason, drivers were asked to be aware that all roads, especially secondary routes and local streets can be very dangerous due to black ice patches at night.
“If you must travel, try to delay your travel until daylight hours,” the GDOT said.
Drivers were also advised to stay back at least 100 feet from the rear of the truck and do not pass a Georgia DOT truck spreading salt or gravel, as gravel may kick up and damage vehicles that are following too closely.
Officials said while interstates and priority state routes had all been pre-treated with more than 1.7 million gallons of brine, as of Wednesday morning, numerous crashes had been reported across the state.
In Southeast Georgia, road conditions remained hazardous for drivers, especially between Brunswick and Savannah.
The Brantley County Sheriff’s Office said road conditions, particularly around bridges, are really bad and they’ve requested spreaders and sand for state highways.
The city of Nahunta warned that black ice is expected to be an issue into Thursday morning. They urged drivers to avoid travel if at all possible for their own safety.
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.
The state of emergency, issued on Monday, remains in effect for all of Georgia.