Atlanta

GDOT hits interstates to prepare roads for approaching winter storm

By Nefertiti Jaquez and Ashley Swann
By Nefertiti Jaquez and Ashley Swann

ATLANTA — Georgia's Department of Transportation has its fleet of trucks out pretreating the roads on all major highways Thursday night.

Severe Weather Team 2 is forecasting that the Atlanta metro and most of north Georgia could see up to 4 inches of snow late Friday night into Saturday morning.

Gov. Nathan Deal issued a state of emergency ahead of the storm. It goes into effect Friday for 78 Georgia counties.

[READ: School and business closings, delays]

As brine trucks begin to treat the roads, GDOT reassured Channel 2’s Nefertiti Jaquez that the state is ready for this storm.

Jaquez was there and trailed tanker trucks Thursday as they headed out to treat the interstates.

"It will take close to a 100,000 gallons to brine all of the metro overnight," said Dale Brantley, with GDOT.

Since Wednesday crews have been busy making salt brine, which keeps ice from forming on the roads.

GDOT STORM PREP FACTS

  • 1,900 employees have been placed on call
  • There is 54,000 tons of salt ready to be used on roadways
  • GDOT has prepared 450,000 gallons of brine
  • 380 pieces of snow removal equipment is on standby

"That brine gives us a layer of defense that lowers the temperature at which that ice will bind to the road. So we hopefully won't be seeing a lot of ice on the roadways, but we'll be able to clear that snow and get people back on the road as soon as it's safe," GDOT’s Natalie Dale told Channel 2’s Ashley Swann earlier in the day Thursday.

"Our goal is to do it tonight so we won't be involved in rush-hour traffic in the morning," Brantley told Jaquez.

[DOWNLOAD the free Severe Weather Team 2 app for weather alerts in your area]

As for drivers, many told Jaquez they're just preparing.

“Make sure my gas tank is full even though I may not be able to drive,” driver Sharif Hassan said. “When the city shuts down, it shuts down.”

Crews from south Georgia arrived Thursday to help with the response.

GDOT told Jaquez once they're done treating the highways they will start treating all secondary roadways.

Atlanta-based Delta Airlines asked travelers to be aware of the impact of winter weather.

Delta issued its change fee waivers for customers headed to several parts of the country.

They involve destinations in the southeast, lower Midwest and Rocky Mountain areas.

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Stay with WSBTV.com and watch Channel 2 Action News for the latest forecast models ahead of winter weather.

You can also follow our meteorologists on Twitter throughout the next few days for the latest on the winter forecast: @GlennBurnsWSB @KarenMintonWSB, @BradNitzWSB, @BMonahanWSB & @KatieWallsWSB.

Cox Media Group

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