NCDOT crews are working in rotating 12-hour shifts to ensure roads are cleared, an agency spokesperson said.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — As North Carolina braces for worsening road conditions over the next 24 hours, the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) has been hard at work preparing for the storm.Â
Jen Goodwin from NCDOT provided an update on the department’s efforts during an interview on WCNC+ and urged residents to stay off the roads if possible.
“We have crews starting to stage around the area,” Goodwin said. “Whether it’s snow, sleet or freezing rain, we’re ready for all of it.”
NCDOT has been pre-treating roads with a brine solution, a mixture of water and 23% salt, which helps prevent ice from forming.Â
“We’ve already put down over a million gallons of brine statewide,” Goodwin noted. This pre-treatment is cost-effective and helps keep ice from bonding to the pavement.
As the storm progresses, NCDOT will deploy spreaders and plows as needed. Crews will work in rotating 12-hour shifts to ensure roads are cleared. Goodwin emphasized the importance of staying off the roads to allow crews to work efficiently and safely.
“We have good relationships with first responders,” Goodwin explained. “If they see a problem, they can contact us, and we can apply materials to help melt ice or provide extra traction.”
Preparation for winter weather starts well before the first snowflake falls. Goodwin said NCDOT began preparations for winter during the fall. This process includes check salt and sand quantities, as well as ensuring all equipment is in working order before an emergency. The agency also conducts dry runs to familiarize employees with their routes.Â
Goodwin also highlighted the variability of weather conditions in the Charlotte region, which can range from light snow to significant accumulations just a few miles apart. This requires NCDOT to be flexible and adjust their plans as needed.
