GDOT Works to Clear Snow Covered Roads

ATLANTA - The winter storm has been keeping Georgia Department of Transportation work crews busy all night as they try to keep the roads clear of snow.

Mark McKinnon of GDOT says crews will be working 12 hour shifts as they work to keep major roads clear of snow and ice.

Priority for the crews will be plowing the roads to clear them of the heavy snow.

McKinnon says as the snow transitions to freezing rain, ice problems could escalate. GDOT officials are encouraging the public to refrain from all but absolutely necessary driving until at least Tuesday.

Interstate 75 southbound near Langford Parkway has been shut down due to ice. Traffic is being diverted to Langford Parkway.

The Conyers Police Department and the Department of Transportation have decided to shut down Intestate 20 East and Westbound between exits 80 and 82 in Conyers.The interstate is expected to remain closed for at least one hour if not more due to icy conditions and multiple accidents.

"We have been preparing for this event since the middle of last week and our maintenance crews are working as hard as they can to clear the lanes," said Georgia DOT Commissioner Vance C. Smith, Jr.

Motorists are urged to:

• Slow down and stay behind the snowplows. The road behind the plow will be the safest place to drive. Allow at least ten car lengths between your vehicle and snowplows or hopper spreaders.
• Do not pass. The plows are wide, and sometimes a group of trucks will work in tandem to clear snow quickly, especially on major highways.
• Be particularly aware of black ice conditions on surfaces such as bridge decks and entrance and exit ramps late tonight and the early hours of tomorrow moing.
• Remember that technology helps, but only to a point. Four-wheel drive, anti-lock brakes and traction control are beneficial advancements in today's cars, trucks and SUVs, but they can't take the place of good driving habits and the need to reduce speed on snowy or icy roads.

Call 511 or visit www.georgia-navigator.com to get current information on road conditions.

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 .