GDOT Crews Working Since Monday Night on NEGA Roads

Georgia Department of Transportation crews have alrady been out in force throughout the night spreading a salt and sand mixture on bridges and overpasses. 

“The Georgia DOT will continue to work 12-hour shifts through the end of the winter weather event, whenever that might be,” said GDOT spokesperson Teri Pope.  “We hope it is sooner rather than later, but we will be here to continue to monitor conditions on the roads.” 

Bayne Smith, G-DOT District Engineer for Northeast Georgia reported earlier that I-85 is the dividing line between snow and sleet or rain right now – snow north of I-85 and sleet or rain south.  

Currently it is snowing in Dawson, Forsyth, Gwinnett, Habersham, Hall, Lumpkin, Rabun, Towns, Union and White County but not sticking to the roadways. 

GDOT Crews are plowing snow in higher elevations specifically SR 136 across Burnt Mountain in Dawson County, SR 2 in Rabun County, SR 60 in Lumpkin County and SR 11/US 129 over Blood Mountain in White and Union Counties.  

Pope said crews have been in “recon” mode since last night when they began working 12-hour shifts.   Pope said 174 G-DOT workers will be out in force in the Northeast Georgia area working to keep roads clear and passable.

 Now just like two weeks ago, G-DOT crews will only be working those main State Routes, not the county and back roads.   So, driving on those roads today through Thursday mid-day could be very treacherous.  

But if you do have to get out during this weather, Pope advises  motorists to: 

Check weather conditions before you leave. 

Slow down and stay behind the snowplows. The road behind the plow will be the safest place to drive. Allow at least ten car lengths between your vehicle and snowplows or hopper spreaders.  Do not try to pass.  The plows are wide, and sometimes a group of trucks will work in tandem to clear snow quickly, especially on major highways.

Be particularly aware of black ice conditions on surfaces such as bridge decks and entrance and exit ramps late tomorrow night and the early hours of Friday morning. 

Remember that technology helps, but only to a point. Four-wheel drive, anti-lock brakes and traction control are beneficial advancements in today’s cars, trucks and SUVs, but they can’t take the place of good driving habits and the need to reduce speed on snowy or icy roads.