Georgia DOT crews continue essential work as winter storm system arrives -

Georgia Department of Transportation crews continued emergency operations into the early morning hours Sunday as weather conditions worsened in north central Georgia. Overnight, Georgia DOT crews manned nearly 400 vehicles or other pieces of equipment on interstates and state routes. Since the start of emergency operations Friday, crews have spread 1.5 million gallons of brine and will put out another 80,000 gallons of brine today in an effort to combat freezing rain and ice accumulation which is predicted in large areas of northeast Georgia.

As of this morning, Georgia DOT crews have also spread 2,600 tons of salt, with more than 1,600 tons having been spread since last night. More than 600 dedicated Georgia DOT employees spent the overnight hours focused on maintaining good conditions on interstates and state routes. GDOT emergency personnel and frontline workers are on round-the-clock staffing for the duration of the storm. While icy conditions and high winds can inhibit the ability of crews to clear the roads, Georgia DOT crews will continue their essential duties as long as they can safely do so, focusing first on clearing interstates and critical state routes near hospitals and other essential services and facilities.

Winds gusting to as much as 50mph continue to remain a threat to emergency workers and the public. Georgia DOT emergency crews will be closely monitoring the wind conditions for impacts to trees and power lines and urges the public to stay off the roads – for motorists’ own safety as well as that of first responders and essential work crews. Extremely high winds can be so dangerous to worker and public safety that certain operations may pause until safe conditions resume.

This winter storm is predicted to continue and worsen in many areas of Georgia throughout today. As the air temperature drops, so does the temperature of pavement, which increases the chances that moisture will freeze – particularly later in the day and into the overnight hours. GDOT officials emphasize the hazards of being on the roads during inclement weather, which include icy conditions, high winds, the possibility of downed trees and potential road and bridge closures. The public is advised to avoid all non-essential travel, and to monitor Georgia DOT social media channels and other trusted news sources for details on road closures and other travel issues.

Power outages are beginning to affect signalized intersections in some areas, and motorists who must travel may encounter traffic signal outages. In this situation it is critical that motorists approach the intersection as a four-way stop, and should look all ways and proceed only through the intersection when it is clear of traffic.

If motorists must travel and encounter a traffic signal outage, a downed tree or other debris in the road, they should stay in their vehicle and call 511. Never try to remove debris from the roadway due to the possibility of downed power lines entangled in the debris, which could be deadly.

Here are some tips on what to report when calling a 511 Operator:

Know your current location, including the interstate number and direction from where you are calling or reporting the incident.
Look for a mile marker or an exit sign around you, or some physical landmark to help better establish your location so 511 Operators can more quickly confirm where you are at.
Be ready to describe your vehicle or the vehicle(s) involved in the incident including the make, model and color
Be prepared to describe what lane(s) are affected
Let the Operator know if there are any potential injuries or persons involved
When calling 511, motorists can say, “Report an incident” to be redirected to a live Operator based out of the Transportation Management Center in Atlanta.

For a list of resources and materials related to Georgia DOT’s winter weather preparedness including region specific fact sheets, photos and video, please visit http://www.dot.ga.gov/DS/Emergency/WinterWeather.

Georgia Department of Transportation plans, constructs and maintains Georgia’s state and federal highways. We’re involved in bridge, waterway, public transit, rail, general aviation, bike and pedestrian programs. And we help local governments maintain their roads. Georgia DOT and its nearly 4,000 employees are committed to delivering a transportation system focused on innovation, safety, sustainability and mobility. The Department’s vision is to boost Georgia’s competitiveness through leadership in transportation.