MDOT urges caution to travelers
BY MARY RUMORE life@starkvilledailynews.com
Following Tuesday morning's snow and freezing temperatures, Mississippi Department of Transportation is encouraging Golden Triangle residents to avoid traveling unless necessary.
MDOT Northern District Transportation Commissioner Mike Tagert said all overpasses and bridges are currently iced over, including Highway 82 and Highway 25.
“First and foremost, the golden rule here is if you don't have to be out today, please don't,” Tagert said. “Conditions on the roads will continue to deteriorate throughout the day and through the night. We aren't going to see any relief from this event for at least 24 hours.”
Tagert said if anyone has to travel, they should drive safely and defensively, wear seatbelts and avoid all distraction.
Mississippi Highway Patrol Troop G Public Information Officer Criss Turnipseed said by lunchtime on Tuesday, Troop G had already received over 20 calls for service.
“We've got everybody we have working today to cover day and night shift,” Turnipseed said.
MDOT began salting roadways, overpasses and bridges Monday afternoon after the forecast from the National Weather Service predicted freezing temperature and precipitation, Tagert said, but salt becomes ineffective in below-freezing temperatures. MDOT is also using snowplows and aggregate material to combat ice on bridges and overpasses.
Turnipseed said MDOT is continuing to salt bridges, but he doesn't know how effective it will be leading into the evening hours.
“In the Golden Triangle, this is a very deceptive event that's taking place,” Tagert said. “All of our bridges and overpasses are iced over as we speak. While we may not have as much accumulation as you may see north of here, the road conditions are just as serious as they are in the northern counties in our state.”
Tagert said the temperatures will stay below freezing for up to the next 36 hours, allowing no relief for residents in the area.
Heavily travelled routes tend to have impacted ice, Tagert said, causing them to become slicker than less-travelled roads, even with salt and aggregate material.
“We just recommend people to stay off the road,” Turnipseed said. “Don't risk driving unless it is an emergency. I'm thinking black ice will be a big deal. I'm surprised how many people are still out here driving.”
According to the NWS in Jackson, temperatures will remain below freezing Tuesday and Wednesday, with low temperatures in the teens and wind chills in the single digits on Wednesday morning. The high for Thursday is expected to be 42 degrees and sunny.
Tagert said ice may still remain on roads in shady areas after the rise in temperatures, and caution should still be taken while traveling later in the week.
More travel information can be found on the MDOT smartphone application, at www.mdottraffi.com or by calling 5-1-1.