Tri-State street crews take on winter weather

CINCINNATI - Winter weather has invaded the Tri-State once again this weekend. With that in mind, weather crews in Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky are out in full force working to keep roads clean and drivers safe.

The city of Cincinnati announced Friday afternoon that road crews are currently working 12-hour shifts and have already treated most primary roads.

While they are making “steady progress” on most streets, crews will continue working on roadways in residential areas throughout the weekend.

The 12-hour shifts will continue Saturday as temperatures are expected to drop well below freezing. The National Weather Service is predicting between 1 and 3 inches of snow through Saturday. Chances of snow are currently listed as “100 percent.”

In Northern Kentucky, trucks were loaded and ready to go when state crews and contractors reported in at 6 a.m. According to the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, "Shift rotations will take place as needed for this snow event that is predicted to last into Sunday afternoon."

KYTC District 6 currently has 23,000 tons of salt on hand in its storage domes at state maintenance facilities and 124 state and contracted trucks available for this snow event.

Maintenance crews in District 6 are responsible for clearing 2,000 miles of state-maintained highways in the counties of Boone, Bracken, Campbell, Carroll, Gallatin, Grant, Harrison, Kenton, Owen, Pendleton and Robertson. That equates to more than 4,500 “lane miles” – all driving lanes from rural state roads to interstate highways.

District 6 is reminding motorists to accommodate road crews when they're out on the road so they can treat streets effectively.

"Salt trucks are considered emergency equipment and they deserve cooperation from motorists  Give them room on roadways and shoulders."

While crews will be working around the clock to make roadways as safe as possible, city officials have released the following driving tips to make sure motorists are safe.

Quick Tips:

• Drivers will want to watch for and yield to large salt trucks that are working to keep our roadways safe.
• As with any winter weather event, travel with an emergency kit packed with items such as  warm clothing, a blanket, an ice scraper, a cellphone, bottled water, energy snacks and a shovel.
• Make sure your vehicle is sufficiently winterized – check the battery, antifreeze level, heater, defroster, wipers and windshield washer. Drives in Kentucky can check the forecast by calling 511 or visit 511.ky.gov for the latest condition reports before traveling. You can also get traffic information for the District 6 counties at www.facebook.com/KYTC.District6 .
• Avoid nonessential travel if conditions are dangerous.
• Dress warmly for the weather – in layers of loose-fitting, lightweight clothing, in anticipation of unexpected emergencies.
• Try to keep your gas tank at least two-thirds full to prevent fuel line freezing and to prepare for possible lengthy delays on the roadway.
• Make sure a friend or relative is aware of your travel route.
• Drive carefully. Allow plenty of time to get to your destination. Do not use cruise control.
• Remember that bridges and exit and entrance ramps can be icy when other areas are not.
• Stopping in snow requires more braking distance than stopping on dry pavement – up to four times more distance. Make sure to put plenty of distance between yourself and the vehicle ahead.
• Be visible. Dull, cloudy days will cut down on visibility, so drive using low-beam headlights.
• Steer into the skid. Stay calm and ease your foot off the gas while carefully steering in the direction you want the front of your vehicle to go.

For up to date information on the latest driving conditions visit the Traffic Incidents section on WCPO.com.