TxDOT Crews Ready to Mobilize in Response to Change in Weather Forecast for the Greater Houston and Surrounding Areas

(Houston) – Over the last few days TxDOT crews have huddled to share lessons learned from across the state in responding to winter weather storms. The Houston District is deploying crews to treat overpasses and bridges as needed in response to swiftly dropping temperatures.

The most recent forecast suggests that temperatures in the Greater Houston and surrounding areas will likely fall below freezing before the precipitation on the roadways will have a chance to dry. It is likely that we will experience icy conditions on district-wide overpasses and bridges.

TxDOT has scout teams on the roadways checking for the formation of ice, where identified. Trucks are loaded with aggregate and magnesium chloride and will treat icy overpasses and bridges. As early as 10:30 a.m., scout teams in Montgomery and Waller Counties identified overpasses and bridge structures with initial formations of ice and have begun de-icing operations.

TxDOT reminds those who must travel to use caution, slow down, increase your following distance, and allow yourself extra time to reach your destination. Also, if possible, avoid driving on elevated structures because they often contain ice that you cannot see.

Additional road condition information is available by calling TxDOT’s toll-free highway conditions hotline at 1-800-452-9292 or use Texas road conditions on the Internet at http://www.txdot.gov/travel/road_conditions.htm.