Freezing rain causes setback for crews clearing roads
JACKSON, Tenn. – The Tennessee Department of Transportation and a City of Jackson official shared an update on the roads Thursday.
Freezing rain began Thursday morning and lasted into the afternoon, making it difficult for road crews to completely clear the roads.
“Some precipitation would come down, we would make some progress, and then it would snow again and we would have to go back and do some clearing and plowing,” said Nichole Lawrence, the Community Relations Officer for the Tennessee Department of Transportation.
TDOT says weather has occurred like this in the past, just not all in the same week.
“We are having to use a little bit of a hotter salt brine, using some calcium chloride, using some potato juice to help break through that frozen precip with the temperatures being as low as they’ve been,” Lawrence said.
City road crews say they’ve been working around the clock to clear and salt roadways.
“We have at this point spread between 250 and 300 tons of salt throughout the city on our main corridors and main traveled streets,” said Austin Clark, the Public Works Director for the City of Jackson.
City crews are warning of what’s to come after temperatures drop.
“Stay off the roads unless absolutely necessary. Those that do have to travel, I would say use extreme caution because the streets will be more challenging, even more challenging then what we’ve had over the last three days,” Clark said.
These weather conditions create very slippery sidewalks, roads, bridges, and black ice, which could cause drivers to lose control of their vehicles with little to no warning.
“Plan ahead. Give yourself plenty of time, plenty of space to be out on those roadways and watch for our crews who are out working or any emergency folks that are out working,” Lawrence said.
According to the National Weather Service, bridges and elevated roadways are especially dangerous when iced over because they are surrounded by cold air and freeze quickly.
For the latest road updates and conditions, visit the TDOT SmartWay map or dial 511.
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