As snow continues to fall across the state, Kentucky Department of Highways District 9 crews remain in plows and on main roads trying to keep them clear as possible.
As of Monday at 11 a.m., all state highways are reported as mostly to completely covered with snow.
High snowfall rates mean routes are quickly being re-covered, even where plows are working on Priority A routes such as I-64, US 23, US 60, KY 32 and others. In some counties, graders have been dispatched to lower-priority routes to keep them from becoming impassable.
Snow totals are about 3-5 inches currently, with air and pavement temperatures around 11 degrees - which means salt and other snow-fighting chemicals will not be as effective. Snow, slush or wet pavement should be considered icy and slick - even on treated roadways.
Travel is not advised, but if motorists must be out they should use low speeds, buckle up, maintain a “space cushion” for maneuverability by maintaining a safe distance of at least 500 feet between vehicles, and be mindful of slow-moving snow plows.
During winter weather, District 9’s northeast Kentucky highway crews work 12-hour shifts using snow plow and salt truck crews to keep roadways in the best possible condition. Crews and contractors in District 9 have more than 75 snow plows and about 18,000 tons of salt stockpiled to fight snow and ice.
Kentucky traffic and travel information is available by dialing 511 or online at: http://www.511.ky.gov
(story provided by Kentucky Department of Transportation)
