KYTC Snowfighters Reporting To Tackle First Snow Of 2020

A winter weather advisory will be in effect from 10:00 p.m. Thursday to 10:00 a.m. Friday.

(Boone County, Ky.) - The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet District 6 snow and ice removal crews in Boone, Kenton and Campbell counties will be in at 10 p.m. tonight.  Carroll, Gallatin, Owen, Grant Harrison, Pendleton, Bracken and Robertson counties will follow at 11 p.m. for the first winter storm of 2020. 

The current forecast is calling for a wintery mix tonight into Friday.   D 6 Snowfighters will mobilize ahead of the storm to treat state roads and interstates in the Northern Kentucky area.   Crews will especially focus on bridges, overpasses and higher elevated roadways that would be more prone to freezing.  

Motorists should plan their Friday morning commute by leaving early to allow more time to reach their destination or later to allow the conditions to improve.   If you must travel, motorists should simply remember – When it snows, take it slow.

District 6 starts out with 31,350 tons of salt each winter season stored in the domes located at the state maintenance facilities.   We are at full capacity with salt.   There are 133 trucks available to treat state highways and interstates. 

Maintenance crews in KYTC District 6 have responsibility for clearing over 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 4,670   “lane miles” – all driving lanes from rural state roads to interstate highways.  District 6 state maintenance crews are prepared to work to keep roads in the best possible condition during winter weather.

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) has a webpage just for snow and ice information. The public can visit http://snowky.ky.gov to learn more about priority routes, access helpful winter weather tips and fact sheets and view informational videos on salt application and snow removal.

In the northern Kentucky counties of Boone, Kenton and Campbell, District 6 is responsible for 1,868 lane miles of roadway. Crews have stockpiled 16,500 tons of salt and over 26,000 gallons of brine for de-icing in the three counties. Seventy-six trucks are available for snow and ice removal – three of which will concentrate on the six-mile section of I-75 between Buttermilk Pike and the Brent Spence Bridge that includes the “Cut in the Hill.”

Every snowstorm is different and presents unique challenges, such as air temperature, pavement temperature, timing of snowfall and ice. Last year, 2018 – 2019, District 6 crews used 29,900 tons of salt, 44,749 gallons of salt brine and 38,565 gallons of liquid chloride for snow and ice events. In all, District 6 spent $5.6 million on equipment, materials and labor.

You are an important part!  Safe travel begins with YOU!

Be prepared:

The following measures will help keep motorists safe and prepared:

·         Put yourself in emergency mode

·         Pay attention to weather advisories. Weather will impact your commute on some level

·         Travel only as necessary during major snow events. It’s better to be stuck at home than to be stuck on the road

·         Maintain a safe distance from snowplows and other heavy highway equipment

·         Do not pass snowplows on the shoulder

·         Allow time for a slower commute

·         Winterize vehicles

·         Supply vehicles with blankets, flash light and an emergency supply kit

·         Know before you go. Visit goky.ky.gov and download the free Waze app to check traffic conditions before you travel

·         Eliminate distractions (e.g. operating phone and eating) while driving

·         Cooperate with the expectations of the Quick Clearance law, which requires drivers to move vehicles to the shoulder in the event of a non-injury crash

Follow KYTCDistrict6 on our Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/KYTC.District6 and on our Twitter page at https://twitter.com/KYTCDistrict6.