TDOT crews prepare for year’s first potential winter weather

JACKSON, Tenn. — With possible snow days away, state crews are preparing roadways.

The Tennessee Department of Transportation’s Community Relations Officer, Nichole Lawrence, talked about how they are preparing for possible adverse road conditions.

“We are monitoring the weather and watching our friends over at WBBJ and our partners with the National Weather Service. We’re making sure our equipment is ready, we’re making sure our plows are clean and installed and our salt-brine is made and loaded into those salt brine tanks,” Lawrence said.

The West Tennessee Region of TDOT covers 21 counties and over 9,600 lane miles that crews will have to treat with a salt-brine mixture.

When the temperatures get cold, they add calcium chloride and an ingredient they call potato juice to add an additional warming effect.

“Interstates are our primary routes. Then we move over into our state routes, those US 45 route, that US 412 route, US 51. Those are the other four-lane routes that we go to after the interstate,” Lawrence said.

With the possibility of large TDOT trucks on the roadways, Lawrence shares how to avoid a potential driving accident.

“Every time we are out working we are always stressing to move over, slow down, work with us during any type of winter weather event. Don’t crowd the plow. Keep space between you and our equipment that is out on the highway trying to keep it clear and safe for you,” Lawrence said.

To learn more about road conditions you can call 511 or check TDOT’s SmartWay app.

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