FORT WAYNE, Ind. – Indiana Department of Transportation maintenance supervisors across the state are closely monitoring local weather forecasts and pavement sensors to deploy salt trucks before Christmas Eve rains transition to snow and wintry mix on state highways. Because this storm is leading off with rain, pre-treating roads and bridges must be done just before pavement temperatures fall below freezing and snow and ice begin to accumulate.
INDOT plow truck drivers will not take a holiday where needed during the Christmas travel weekend. INDOT will adjust its call out of manpower, trucks and materials as appropriate to address forecasted and observed road conditions. Trained INDOT employees are on call to staff plow trucks around the clock alternating 12- to 16-hour shifts.
INDOT urges Christmas travelers to monitor weather forecasts and schedule long trips either before or after the weather impacts road conditions. This will help save the extra time needed to slow down and drive according to the conditions. Know before you go by checking road conditions and traffic or weather alerts on INDOT’s TrafficWise service at http://indot.carsprogram.org, 800-261-ROAD (7623) or 511 on your mobile phone.
For social media updates, find the INDOT Facebook and Twitter pages for your regional district at: www.in.gov/indot/3074.htm
Salt in stock
As of last week, INDOT has deployed nearly 26,000 tons of salt and 1.1 million gallons of salt brine thus far this winter.
Ongoing demand following last year’s record winter has increased salt prices an average of 57 percent across the state. INDOT continues to receive salt deliveries and has 264,000 tons on hand statewide – most of what would be needed during a typical winter. Prior to last winter, the five-year average for salt usage was roughly 291,000 tons.
New plow equipment
Drivers should watch for six new tow plows in use on multi-lane interstates, U.S. highways and state roads. Already used in northeast Indiana and 22 other states, a tow plow allows one plow truck and driver to clear two lanes at once.
Except when stocking up on salt or fuel, INDOT plans to use the six new tow plows on the four-lane state highways listed below. The equipment may be redeployed to other parts of the state as needed this winter.
· Interstate 74 between Indianapolis and Greensburg
· Interstate 469 and U.S. 24 northeast of Fort Wayne
· The new U.S. 31 freeway near Kokomo
· The State Road 67 Muncie Bypass
· U.S. 24 and State Road 25 Hoosier Heartland near Logansport
Drivers should not attempt to pass a tow plow if all lanes are blocked, but stay a safe distance and speed behind the plows. Road conditions are always better behind a plow at work than in front.
Winter paving hiatus
When not behind the wheel of a plow truck, INDOT’s maintenance crews spend the winter maintaining and preserving our existing roads and bridges.
Winter temperatures generally do not allow for paving, and most asphalt and concrete plants close this time of year. So INDOT crews use cold mix – a mixture of small stone and liquid asphalt – as a temporary patch. Even after being filled with cold patch, a pothole may require ongoing maintenance and can reopen several times throughout the winter.
The holidays also mark the unofficial end to this year’s road construction. INDOT contractors will pull back barrels and barricades to the safest extent possible for peak holiday travel periods and through the winter. Restored shoulders allow drivers to correct themselves if they hit slick spots and provide room to store plowed snow.
Construction crews may continue earth moving, demolition and bridge work on multi-year projects as weather permits through the winter. In certain areas of the state, contractors may cut trees during the winter and early spring to avoid impacts to endangered Indiana bat populations. Road construction will gear up again in the spring as temperatures and soil conditions allow.
Drive sober
Drivers attending holiday parties should avoid substances that impair reaction times during winter road conditions. When on the roads, drive defensively and be aware for other inattentive or impaired drivers.
If too impaired to drive, make plans to designate a sober driver, stay overnight or take a cab home. Remember that driving while drowsy or distracted is similar to “buzzed” driving.
As part of the nationwide Combined Accident Reduction Effort project, Indiana State Police is concentrating on driving violations that contribute to vehicle crashes such as, speeding, following too closely, unsafe lane changes, failure to signal lane changes and failure to wear seatbelts. Through Jan. 4, more than 180 additional state troopers will be on patrol across Indiana, including Driving Under the Influence Enforcement Patrols.
