DOTD prepared for possible wintry weather across north & central areas of Louisiana
Monday, January 15, 2018 at 2:29:10 PM
DOTD prepared for wintry weather across north & central areas of Louisiana
BOSSIER CITY/MONROE, La. - Today, the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development announced that its staff is equipped to respond in the event of adverse weather. Forecasts call for freezing temperatures and wintry precipitation in the form of 1-4 inches of possible snow accumulation in some areas of the northern portion of the state overnight Monday, January 15th into Tuesday, January 16th, 2018.
The Shreveport, Monroe and Chase DOTD Districts will have crews out beginning Monday evening scouting the roadways, as well as pretreating bridges and overpasses with salt.
Crews in the Alexandria District will also be out beginning Monday evening, ready to address affected areas and apply salt treatment in anticipation of the possibility of wintry precipitation across parts of central Louisiana.
Supply inventories and equipment have been checked, and crews will be working around-the-clock until the roadways are safe for travel. In addition, DOTD will continue to monitor upcoming weather situations.
For the most up-to-date road status information, DOTD offers motorists various resources:
• MyDOTD: Motorists can receive automatic and up-to-date information on local projects, lane and road closures, and other DOTD activity by signing up for MyDOTD at www.dotd.la.gov.
• 511 Traveler Information: Travelers can also find information regarding road closures by visiting the 511 Traveler Information website at www.511la.org or by dialing 511 from their telephone and saying the route or region about which they are seeking information. Out-of-state travelers can access the system by calling 1-888-ROAD-511 (1-888-762-3511).
• Social Media: Find DOTD on social media for updates and information. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
DOTD urges motorists to use extra caution when traveling on roadways during hazardous weather conditions and stay off the roads whenever possible. DOTD will do everything it can to keep Louisiana’s highways and interstate system open in the event of freezing rain, sleet or snow and will prioritize the maintenance and opening of routes based on traffic volumes.
During winter weather conditions, motorists should adhere to the following driving safety tips:
• Drive slowly and carefully.
• Avoid driving while distracted.
• Always allow for extra driving time.
• Reduce speeds when visibility is low.
• Make sure there is plenty of room between vehicles.
• Be on the lookout for DOTD crews and their equipment. Be particularly aware of slow-moving salt spreader trucks on interstate routes.
• Remember that it’s unlawful and unsafe to drive around a road closed barricade for any reason.
Also, beware of black ice - a thin, transparent layer of ice accumulation that can be visually hard to detect on bridges, overpasses, off-ramps and in shady spots. As always, DOTD reminds motorists to buckle up and refrain from drinking and driving.
Contact Information:
Erin Buchanan
Public Information Officer
Districts 04, 05, 58 & 08
(318) 549-8402
erin.buchanan@la.gov