State highway crews remain on roads throughout northeast Kentucky, treating icy roads and bridges with salt as freezing rain falls.
Air temperatures have remained above freezing, but rain and pavement temperatures of 30 to 32 degrees have created slick conditions - especially on bridges - in Kentucky Department of Highways District 9 counties of Bath, Boyd, Carter, Elliott, Fleming, Greenup, Lewis, Mason, Nicholas and Rowan.
While conditions have improved since early evening when crews began working, motorists are advised that travel may be hazardous, especially in easternmost counties. If you must be on the road, take it slow and drive with caution.
Salt truck and plow crews in Boyd, Carter, Greenup, Lewis, Rowan and Elliott counties will remain on duty overnight, and will continue patrolling and treating bridges and slick spots.
Crews in Bath, Fleming, Mason and Nicholas counties will continue patrolling until midnight, then bring in a new crew at 5 a.m. to patrol and treat roads as necessary.
All crews will concentrate on clearing roads and bridges of ice before the Monday morning commute.
Kentucky traffic and travel information is available by dialing 511 or online at: http://www.511.ky.gov
Road conditions are described as follows:
• Wet pavement – Ice could form as temperatures drop.
• Partly covered – Markings may be obscured by snow, slush or ice.
• Mostly covered by snow, slush or ice.
• Completely covered by snow, slush or ice.
• Impassable – Conditions unsuitable for all but emergency travel.
Motorists are reminded to always slow down, buckle up and use extra caution when driving in snow or during winter weather, and remember that bridges and overpasses typically freeze before roadways.
Be mindful of slow-moving snow plows and salt trucks, and please maintain a safe distance of at least 500 feet between vehicles and snow-clearing equipment.
(story provided by Kentucky Department of Transportation)
