Some nasty spots on the road, plus update from Gwinnett on roads

CREWS CONTINUE TO BATTLE HAZARDOUS ROADWAY CONDITIONS - 3:30 PM UPDATE

WHEN: Now, and continuing through Tuesday night, Ongoing
WHERE: Multiple Counties
WHAT: Sleet, freezing rain and sustained temperatures below freezing are causing extremely hazardous driving conditions throughout Georgia. Dangerous icing continues across the entire advisory area. Georgia DOT has marshaled all available assets from throughout the state and will respond in strength but encourages the public to refrain from all but absolutely necessary driving.

County State Route or Interstate & Direction Intersection or closest cross street Initial Roadway Condition

Coweta SR 70,34E, 54 & 154 Multiple Locations Icy Patches
Coweta SR 34 EB Multiple areas near and around Shenandoah Blvd. Icy Patches
Heard SR 1/US 27 Multiple Locations Icy Patches
Heard SR 219 Multiple Locations Icy Patches
Heard SR 34 EB Multiple Locations Icy Patches
Muscogee SR 27 Victory Drive @ Morgan St. Sign down
Troup I-85 South of SR 54 (Exit 28) Icy Patches
Troup I-85 SB I-185 Widespread Icy Patches


Motorists are urged to slow down and leave, at least, a ten car length distance between their vehicles and the DOT trucks clearing the roadways. Treat any traffic signal that is not working as a four-way stop, and be aware of black ice, especially on bridges and overpasses.

Georgia DOT urges travelers to call 511 for updated information about this or any other construction project on interstates and state routes. Georgia 511 is a free phone service that provides real-time traffic and travel information statewide, such as traffic conditions, incidents, lane closures, and delays due to inclement weather. Callers also can transfer to operators to request assistance or report incidents 24 hours a day, seven days a week. More information is available at www.511ga.org.

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GWINNETT DOT RESPONDS TO ICY ROADS

The Gwinnett County Department of Transportation has been responding to weather-related road conditions since a winter storm hit metropolitan Atlanta on Sunday evening. The department has been primarily cooperating with and assisting the County’s emergency personnel and crews have responded to icy conditions on major thoroughfares and collector streets.

Road Maintenance crews have been and will continue to work in the following shifts:

· 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. – Five trucks equipped with snow plows, six motor graders and 15 sand/salt spreaders (depending on the specific need). Approximately 35 employees have been responding to calls, which have been received primarily from the County’s 911 emergency call center.

· 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. – Four trucks equipped with snow plows and three sand/salt spreaders (depending on the specific need). A minimum of eight employees are available to respond to emergency-related calls with the ability to call in more personnel if necessary.

Traffic signal crews have had up to four crews handling any traffic signal outages, on-flash reports, emergencies, etc. Gwinnett DOT will continue to staff the Traffic Control Center beginning each day at 5 a.m. to monitor road conditions of major arterials/corridors. Residents can watch streaming video 24/7 from several major intersections and corridors at www.gcsmartcommute.com and on TVgwinnett government access cable during the hours of 6:30 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. and again between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.

“It has always been Gwinnett County DOT’s philosophy to try to concentrate our limited resources on major roadways,” said Gwinnett DOT Director Brian Allen. “We are committed to do our best on major arterials and collector streets.”

Gwinnett County officials urge drivers to use extreme caution as conditions along roadways can change greatly over short distances.