Motorists should be alert for slow-moving spray trucks on Friday
PADUCAH, KY (Jan. 2, 2025) – In anticipation of winter precipitation expected to hit the region this weekend, Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) crews in District 1 plan to pre-treat some roadways and potential trouble spots on Friday.
Motorists should be alert for slow-moving trucks spraying brine on highway surfaces. Crews will concentrate their efforts on “A” Snow and Ice Priority Routes and then transition to spot-treating bridges, overpasses, and potential trouble spots such as hilltops, curves, and other shady areas that can be problematic when snow accumulates.
Motorists are encouraged to use caution and adjust driving habits based on highway surface conditions mile by mile. Heavier bands of snow or wintry mix within this weather event could create hazardous driving conditions.
The National Weather Service (NWS) is anticipating a winter storm with mixed precipitation types falling within in our region Saturday night into Monday. Presently, the exact location and amounts of possible snow, sleet, freezing rain or rain is still uncertain, the NWS-Paducah noted today via their Facebook page.
The KYTC District 1 Snow and Ice Team may make some adjustments to crew scheduling and response plans based on future forecast updates.
When brine is sprayed on pavement, it dries to leave a fine powder coating of salt that sticks to the road surface. The powdered salt is then available to be activated by falling precipitation in the early hours of a snow and ice event. It initially improves driving conditions by melting snow as it falls, then makes it easier for crews to plow snow later in the event by keeping frozen precipitation from bonding to the pavement.
KYTC District 1 has about 87 snow plows, five tow-plows, and several contract plows to cover 2,852 miles of highway in Kentucky’s 12 westernmost counties.
Statewide, more than 1,400 plow trucks are on deck to keep travelers safely moving during a snow and ice event.
Motorists are advised to monitor the evolving forecast via area news media outlets or on the National Weather Service Paducah page at https://www.facebook.com/NWSPaducah.
Visit snowky.ky.gov for snow and ice resources, like priority route maps, tips and highway district updates. Travel info is available at GoKY.KY.Gov.