Salt stocked, equipment prepared
MADISONVILLE, Ky. (Nov. 15, 2019) – Despite Old Man Winters early arrival this year, Kentucky Department of Highways District 2 crews stand ready to fight snowy weather.
More than 200 professional “snow fighters” have stockpiled more than 25,000 tons of salt, prepared more than 150 snow plows and other equipment, and now need only a moment’s notice to clear highways across the district’s southwest territory of Caldwell, Christian, Daviess, Hancock, Henderson, Hopkins, McLean, Muhlenberg, Ohio, Webster and Union counties.
Equipment checks and salt orders started earlier this summer. In October, crew rosters and other preparations were completed. Beginning on November 1, on-call supervisory teams began weekly winter weather duty rotations. Snow and ice training was held on November 7 for all of District 2’s snow fighters.
“November is the launch of snow and ice season for the Cabinet, and as they demonstrated last week, our crews are prepared to respond to the effects winter weather can have on our roadways,” said Chief District Engineer Deneatra Henderson. “While Kentucky weather can be unpredictable, we’ve done our best to prepare and encourage drivers to also take steps now to be ready on the road when conditions change.”
The district’s snow fighters are among are among nearly 2,000 operators and support staff state wide who have been briefed and trained on best practices for snow and ice removal in an effort to keep motorists moving on Kentucky roadways.
When snowstorms hit, crews in affected counties are assigned to 12-hour shifts to plow and treat state roadways on a priority basis – part of the Cabinet’s mission to keep traffic moving in a safe manner with an emphasis on maintaining mobility along critical corridors.
Priority A routes include critical state routes and those most heavily traveled such as interstates or roads to hospitals, which receive the highest priority for snow-clearing efforts. Priority B and C routes include other important, but lesser-traveled state routes.
The Cabinet’s snow and ice information website, SnowKY.ky.gov, provides details and maps of those priority routes, as well as helpful winter driving tips, fact sheets and videos on salt application and snow removal.
In addition, the public can monitor Transportation Cabinet winter operations in real time on the state’s interactive traffic system – GoKY.ky.gov – to find out what’s happening on state routes in their local counties.
Statewide, thousands of men and women serve on the frontlines and behind the scenes of the Cabinet’s snow and ice removal efforts. The Cabinet is equipped with several hundred thousand tons of salt, as well as adequate supplies of brine and calcium chloride, and approximately 1,015 deployable trucks and plows among the 125 snow and ice maintenance locations. Another 430 contracted trucks are available to assist in snow and ice operations.
Public preparation
KYTC encourages motorists to prepare for winter and remain safe by following these tips:
· Pay attention to weather advisories. Weather will impact your commute at some level.
· Travel only as necessary during major snow events. It’s better to be stuck at home than to be stuck on the road.
· Maintain a safe distance from snowplows and other heavy equipment.
· Do not pass snowplows on the shoulder.
· Allow time for a slower commute.
· Winterize vehicles.
· Stock vehicles with blankets, flash light and an emergency supply kit.
· Know before you go. Visit GoKY.ky.gov and download the free Waze app to check traffic conditions before you travel.
· Eliminate distractions (e.g. using phone and eating) while driving.
· Cooperate with the expectations of the Quick Clearance law, which requires drivers to move vehicles shoulder in the event of a non-injury crash.
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Timely traffic advisories for the 11 counties of KYTC Highway District 2 are available by going towww.facebook.com/kytcdistrict2. You do not have to be a Facebook member to access this page. Navigate Traffic at GoKY.KY.Gov or at WAZE.com or via the WAZE App.
ADDENDUM – DISTRICT 2 PRIORITY ROUTES
Highway District 2 snow removal priority route listings. Snow removal efforts start with priority A routes and proceed to B and C routes as quickly as storm intensity allows. Individual county maps are available for download through SnowKY.ky.gov, or directly athttps://transportation.ky.gov/Maintenenace/Pages/Snow-and-Ice-Maps.aspx.
Caldwell County: Priority A routes include I69, I-24, U.S. 62, KY 91, KY 641, KY 2613 and KY 2618. Priority B routes include KY 70, KY 139 and KY 293. Other routes are priority C.
Christian County: Priority A routes include U.S. 24, U.S. 41, U.S.41A, Ed Breathitt Parkway, U.S. 68 and KY 91. Priority B routes include KY 109, KY 189, KY 107, KY 272, KY 164, KY 1716. Other routes are priority C.
Daviess County: Priority A routes include Audubon Parkway, William Natcher Parkway, U.S. 60, U.S. 231, U.S. 431, KY 54, KY 56, KY 81, KY 2831 and KY 3236. Priority B routes include KY 951, KY 144, KY 554, KY 331, KY 764, KY 951, KY 2127, KY 1554, KY 2702, KY 2698 and KY 2122. Other routes are Priority C.
Hancock County: Priority A routes include U.S. 69, U.S. 60, KY 1406, KY 1957, KY 3101 and KY 6098. Priority B routes include KY 144, KY 271, KY 1265, KY 1847, KY 3092 and KY 3199. Other routes are priority C.
Henderson County: Priority A routes include Audubon Parkway, U.S. 60, U.S. 41, U.S. 41A, KY 425 and KY 6111. Priority B routes include KY 145, KY 266, KY 351, KY 416, KY 812, KY 2084, KY 2096, and KY 2682. Other routes are priority C.
Hopkins County: Priority A routes include I69, U.S. 41, U.S. 41A, KY 70, KY 85, KY 109, KY 254, KY 454, KY 1246, KY 2082, KY 2664 and KY 6113. Priority B routes include KY 112, KY 260, KY 630, KY 814, KY 336, KY1034, KY 1215, KY 1069, KY 2338, KY 2337 and KY 3052. Other routes are priority C.
McLean County: Priority A routes include U.S. 431, KY 56, KY 81, KY 136, KY 138, KY 815, KY 2109, KY 2110 and KY 3470. Priority B routes include KY 85, KY 136, KY 250, KY 254, KY 593, KY 2110, KY 1155, KY 1412. Other routes are priority C.
Muhlenberg County: Priority A routes include Western Kentucky Parkway, U.S. 431, U.S. 62, KY 81, KY 70, KY 304, KY 176, KY and KY 181. Priority B routes include KY 601, KY 171, KY 175, KY 181, KY 973 and KY 189. Other routes are priority C.
Ohio County: Priority A routes include I69, U.S. 231, US 62, KY 69, KY 2115, KY 1245 and KY 2714. Priority B routes include KY 85, KY 69, KY 54, KY 261, KY 1544, KY 136, KY 2719, KY 1245, KY 273 and KY 1544. Other routes are priority C.
Union County: Priority A routes include U.S. 60, U.S. 60 Bypass, KY 56, KY 109, KY 130 and KY 2094. Priority B routes include KY 130, KY 141, KY 360, KY 359, KY 492, KY 1508 and KY 3393. Other routes are priority C.
Webster County: Priority A routes include U.S. 41, U.S. 41A, I69, KY 56, KY 109, KY 145 and KY 494. Priority B routes include KY 370, KY 147, KY 270, KY 132, KY 138, KY 120, KY 293, KY 630, KY1069 and KY 1340. Other routes are priority C.