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GDOT issues warning about black ice

Metro ATL

GDOT issues warning about black ice

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Black ice on footway. Photo by Simon A. Eugster, obtained via Wikimedia Commons

Black ice on footway. Photo by Simon A. Eugster, obtained via Wikimedia Commons

Be careful on the roads tomorrow if you’re driving around in northeast Georgia.

With temperatures expected to fall below freezing at 3 am tomorrow, Jan. 27, there’s a possibility that the moisture could freeze and create a condition known as black ice on metro Atlanta roadways, the Georgia Department of Transportation says.

Here is the full advisory from GDOT:

BLACK ICE EXPECTED IN NORTH GEORGIA AND METRO ATLANTA COUNTIES

Exercise Extreme Caution During Early Morning Hours

Atlanta, Ga. – As north Georgia braces for the bitter cold with a severe drop in temperatures on Tuesday morning, Georgia DOT advises motorists to go slow, pay attention and use extreme caution as there may be black ice on roadways! Metro Atlanta could see temperatures fall below freezing by 3 a.m. on Tuesday morning and with the left-over moisture on our roadways, there is a strong possibility for black ice and hazardous driving conditions.

The National Weather Service (NWS) extended their winter weather advisory for counties in Northeast Georgia until 9 a.m. on Tuesday morning and advised of the possibility of a second wave of light snow showers in the North Georgia mountains tonight into Tuesday morning with less than ½ inch of accumulation expected with any snow showers.

“As a result, Georgia DOT will have crews out monitoring conditions and responding to incidents as the need arises beginning at 8p.m. tonight through tomorrow morning in the Northeastern Georgia counties,” said Northeast Georgia District Engineer Brent Cook.  Crews will also begin monitoring roadways in the Metro Atlanta region as early as 4:30 am on Tuesday morning due to the falling temperatures.

The Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA) and Georgia State Patrol (GSP) will also bring in extra staff to address winter weather conditions.

“Our GDOT crews will make every effort to quickly respond to icy spots as they become known,” said Dale Brantley, Georgia DOT’s State Maintenance Engineer.  “But it is important to note that during a winter weather event, Georgia DOT’s first priority is to keep roads safe for emergency vehicles. Interstates are cleared first, and then state routes from the most heavily traveled to the least traveled.”

During hazardous winter weather conditions, Georgia DOT advises motorists to:

– Call 511 to report icy conditions on interstates and state routes;

– If possible, postpone travel until daylight hours when road conditions such as black ice are more visible;

– Do not pass a Georgia DOT dump truck spreading the salt/gravel mixture, as gravel may kick up and could break car windshields—follow at least 100 feet behind Department vehicles;

– Be aware of Georgia DOT crews working to clear the snow and ice from interstates and state routes;

– SLOW DOWN at least half your normal speed and use a low gear as you drive;

– Treat a non-working traffic signal as a four-way stop; and

– Beware of black ice (especially on bridges) and watch for fallen trees or power lines

Georgia DOT urges travelers to exercise caution and call 511 for updated information on roadway conditions before getting on the road during a winter weather event. Georgia 511 is a free phone service that provides real-time traffic and travel information statewide, including winter weather closures, reports of icing or other hazardous conditions on interstates and state routes. Callers also can transfer to operators to request assistance or report incidents 24 hours a day, seven days a week. More information is available at www.511ga.org.

 

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