MageeNews.com

MDOT Urges Motorists to be Prepared as Winter Weather Approaches

JACKSON, MISS., Wednesday, February 9, 2011-According to the Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT), possible wintry weather is expected throughout the state today and on Thursday.

During the morning hours, MDOT crews are going to pre-treat with Calcium Chloride the U.S.49 Flyover bridge, the STACK, and the Valley Street bridge before the rain and snow arrives. This is an attempt to create a bond breaker between the snow/ice and the pavement to assist in plowing it off the roadway after it accumulates.

"This time we're taking even more proactive measures to ensure the safety of the traveling public," said Central District Transportation Commissioner Dick Hall. "We're trying something different that has been successful in other areas. A pre-treatment with calcium chloride will minimize potential icing effect on flyovers, and our folks will also be putting out the salt and misselite mixture throughout the day."

MDOT personnel will be monitoring the weather and the road conditions and will take whatever measures are necessary to keep MS roadways open. Motorists are advised to stay off of the roadways, if possible, and if they must travel on them use extreme caution and please slow down, especially on bridges and overpasses.

The Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) offers the following safety tips for motorists:
    •    Drive according to current road and weather conditions.
    •    Please pay close attention to the roadway and don't text while driving.
    •    Keep a safe distance between you and the vehicle in front of you.
    •    Avoid situations where you may have to brake suddenly on a slippery surface.
    •    Have tires and tire pressure checked. Tire pressure decreases in colder weather.
    •    Give yourself extra time for travel or wait until conditions improve. Also, log on to www.MSTraffic.com for real-time traffic information.
    •    Tune in to your local television station for local weather reports and always keep your weather radio handy.
    •    Make sure you travel with at least half a tank of gas and have sufficient windshield washer fluid in the reservoir.