Ice dangers on streets & highways in eastern NC

WASHINGTON, N.C. - By Sunday, ice on streets and highways were still a problem. And unexpected freezing conditions can create dangers that are hard if not impossible to see.

By: Arthur Mondale | WNCT-On Your Side
Published: February 01, 2010

WASHINGTON, N.C. - By Sunday, ice on streets and highways were still a problem. And unexpected freezing conditions can create dangers that are hard if not impossible to see.
9OYS got a lot of comments from drivers asking why there's so much ice on the roads at night--if DOT crews are so busy working during the day.
We’re told crews are most effective during the day because of sunlight and warmer temperatures. During the day crews will plow and drop rock salt until ice turns to liquid and eventually goes away.
But as darkness falls the melting ice freezes back up again. And crews aren’t able to add more salt until the morning.
For example, in Beaufort County, maintenance engineer Robby Taylor says rock salt might have cleared major highways like 264, but some shaded neighborhoods and secondary roads still pose a problem.
Likewise across the east, trouble spots include bridges and overpasses.
DOT maintenance crews in the east tell 9OYS they will work longer hours as long as weather conditions permit. Some counties like Pitt County already spread more than 350-tons of rock salt.
But crews are urging drivers to use good judgment by only going as fast as road conditions allow--without adding to the traffic pile up. And to also to be mindful of additional plows and spreaders during the start of the work week.