RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — The North Carolina Department of Transportation is warning drivers to be extra careful after Tuesday's winter storm as the snow and ice could refreeze overnight, causing dangerous conditions.
NCDOT crews have been proactive in their approach, tackling the primary routes and interstates early. Doug McNeal, the NCDOT division maintenance engineer covering Durham, Wake, Person Granville, Vance, Warren and Franklin counties, provided insight into the scale of the operations. He stated the the division covers 14,800 lane miles across 17 counties.
"We were able to get 95% clear, but you got to watch for icy spots," he said. "We will still have icy spots through the night as we get some refreezing."
According to McNeal, crews used 240 gallons of brine to treat the roads before the winter event and they will still be working into the night.
"We'll be working with a crew that is more reduced as temperatures start to drop," McNeal said. "We will save our resources and return in the morning."
McNeal said most roads may appear clear, but drivers still need to be cautious.
"You just don't know what's coming around the corner," he said. "You might be on the interstate and drop off on a ramp that has pines on the shoulder. You can get into some black ice pretty quickly."
McNeal said NCDOT crews were only able to clear 70% of secondary roads on Wednesday. The ice and snow refreezing is expected to cause problems Wednesday night and into Thursday morning.