Road Crews Busy as Winter System Hits

By Eugenia Jones
eugenia@highland.net

A bone chilling winter system blanketed light snow and icy road conditions across McCreary County earlier this week. According to Amber Hale, District 8 State Highway Information Officer, the McCreary County state highway crew reported for snow and ice duty at midnight Sunday night to begin treating routes with a salt application prior to the arrival of the winter system early Monday morning. The crew worked throughout the day on Monday treating roads and were able to complete activities and go home at normal hours Monday afternoon. Later in the evening, three trucks went back out to spot treat an icy bridge reported by 911. Throughout Monday night, the district snow and ice team and county superintendents monitored weather and temperatures. The McCreary crew reported back for snow and ice duty late Monday night and remained working and treating roadways on Tuesday morning. Snow and ice duties were completed about noon on Tuesday. Hale noted when temperatures are below freezing and ice has formed it takes a longer time for roads to become clear especially in the low lying areas and bridges/overpasses. On Tuesday morning, District 8 posted a warning on their Facebook page cautioning drivers about wet roads and black ice.
In general, McCreary County State HWY crews cover approximately 217 miles measured in two lane miles with 6 salt trucks and a crew of thirteen. State highways are ranked as to which roads receive first priority for snow/ice maintenance. Priority 1 roads for receiving salt application and snow removal by the state highway crew in McCreary County include HWY 27, HWY 92, and HWY 90.
Those interested in learning more about District 8 State HWY snow and ice priority roads in McCreary County can visit the website snowky.ky.gov or https://transportation.ky.gov/sites/snowky. The website contains information explaining how the State HWY Department determines priority routes and the order in which routes are cleared. There are also videos and information regarding salt applications and snow removal.