TxDOT pretreating area roadways for possible winter precipitation

The Texas Department of Transportation’s Atlanta District is pretreating major highways, bridges and overpasses in preparation of winter weather predicted for New Year’s weekend.

There is a 20 percent chance of rain late Saturday, then a chance of freezing rain and sleet after midnight, according to the National Weather Service in Shreveport, La. A chance of freezing rain and sleet is also expected before noon Sunday.

Trucks are spraying local major highways, bridges and overpasses with a brine solution, said Marcus Sandifer, TxDOT spokesman. The solution is a mixture of salt and water that binds to the pavement and helps prevent precipitation from freezing on the pavement and structures. The treatment will appear as light white lines on the pavement.

Pretreating roadways and bridges has proven to be an effective way to prevent early icing. The brine mixes with the precipitation, creating a solution that requires much lower temperatures to freeze, Sandifer said. The brine solution is also much more environmentally friendly than using rock salt on roadways.

Once winter precipitation begins, TxDOT will have crews out around the clock working on the highways to keep them open to traffic and as safe as possible for motorists.

Motorists are reminded to use extreme caution when driving in winter weather and to slow down and drive according to conditions. Drivers should never slam on their brakes, which can cause the vehicle to begin skidding. If the vehicle begins sliding, the driver should take their foot off the accelerator and turn their steering wheel in the direction they want their vehicle to travel without oversteering.

To stay atop road conditions in Texas, motorists can log onto DriveTexas.gov and view more winter driving tips at www. TxDOT.gov.