WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) – After days of preparation for the arrival of Friday’s wintry weather mix, North Carolina Department of Transportation crews spent the day on standby, waiting for the precipitation to begin accumulating so they could begin treating roads.
“We are going to be working throughout the night – and overnight – in shifts to address any freezing rain, sleet or snow that may fall,” said NCDOT spokesperson Andrew Barksdale. “We’re not sure exactly what’s going to happen, but we are prepared.”
Preparations started earlier this week, when the department sprayed thousands of gallons of brine on roads across the state in an attempt to prevent any potential snow or ice from freezing to the pavement.
The storm is expected to leave more of an impact in inland counties like Columbus, Bladen and Pender. NCDOT sprayed around 30,000 gallons of brine on Columbus County roads, and roughly 18,000 in Bladen, Barksdale said. The focus was on major roads and highways that see the most traffic.
“Our maintenance crews are familiar with their counties, and they typically know the hotspots and the trouble spots – the low-lying areas, rural roads – that get a lot of shade in the winter time, that are trouble spots when there’s ice,” he said. “So, we’re gonna hit those. We just can’t be everywhere all at once.”
NCDOT has crews working 12-hour shifts, including roughly 25 employees each in Columbus and Bladen Counties, Barksdale said. And on Friday, the equipment used to drop the brine was traded in for pickup trucks with plows capable of moving any snow that accumulates on roads. Those trucks, Barksdale says, are only used 2-3 times a year.
During a Friday morning press conference ahead of the weather, state emergency management director Will Ray said it’s best for people to just stay off the roads as the system makes its way through.
“We ask folks to remain alert, informed and to check on your neighbors and those in your community who may need assistance,” Ray said. “During a disaster or major event, we are stronger together.”
Whether there’s significant snow, sleet or ice around the region come Saturday, Barksdale said department crews will be ready for cleanup so roads are in good shape by the start of next week.
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