ODOT crews are preparing for a winter storm forecasted to affect Oklahoma starting Friday. The Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) is monitoring weather conditions closely and has begun pre-treatment operations on highways and interstates to improve safety ahead of the expected inclement weather.
“Because each storm is different and much of the winter weather in the state can quickly shift between ice, sleet or snow, ODOT proactively monitors weather conditions closely to determine the best plan of action for each storm. Pre-treatment operations are already underway to help improve safety on highways and interstates. Crews will continue to monitor conditions ahead of the expected inclement weather,” according to an ODOT statement.
ODOT manages over 30,000 lane miles of state roadways. City streets and county roads fall under local jurisdictions. During winter storms, ODOT crews work around the clock until roads are clear and safe.
Statewide resources include more than 500 multi-use trucks—about 50 in Oklahoma City and 25 in Tulsa—and over 128,000 tons of salt and sand/salt mix stored at maintenance yards across Oklahoma. Preparations involve all maintenance staff on standby with supervisors monitoring both weather and road conditions. Highways are being pretreated with salt brine to help prevent ice from bonding to pavement; however, this does not eliminate all icy conditions.
“Preparations currently underway include an all-hands-on-deck approach, with maintenance crews on standby and supervisors closely monitoring weather and road conditions. Highways and interstates already have or are being pretreated with salt brine ahead of the storm, which helps prevent ice from bonding to pavement when conditions allow. Pretreatment reduces, but does not eliminate, icy conditions. Trucks are ready to deploy salt and salt/sand mixtures to improve traction and melt ice. Additional trucks and materials are staged and available if conditions worsen. Drivers are always reminded to drive mindfully when weather conditions may impact their routes and avoid unnecessary travel.”
Drivers are advised by ODOT: “Stay informed on the weather; avoid unnecessary travel If you must travel, drive for those conditions and buckle up Don’t use cruise control during inclement weather, keep control of your vehicle Be aware of ‘black ice’ which looks wet on the roadway but is a thin layer of ice Stay about 200 feet behind trucks; allow crews room to maneuver and spread materials.”
Motorists should carefully consider whether travel is necessary during winter storms, allow extra space between vehicles, avoid crowding snowplows by staying at least 200 feet back, be cautious on bridges that freeze first, allot additional time for trips in affected areas, carry emergency supplies such as blankets or water, remain alert in work zones where lanes may be narrowed, and keep phones charged.
ODOT emphasizes that each winter storm can change rapidly; even after precipitation stops, crews may continue working due to possible refreezing.
The department works alongside the Oklahoma Highway Patrol for resource allocation as needed during severe weather events. Stranded vehicles can slow down roadway treatment efforts significantly.
Travelers should confirm any closures or delays before leaving home. Those traveling out-of-state should check neighboring states’ road condition updates before departure.
Road condition information is available at www.okroads.org—which provides current updates along with access to more than 596 snowplow cameras outside metro areas—and via the Drive Oklahoma mobile app or by calling 844-4OK-HWYS (844-465-4997). Named plows can be tracked at oksnowplows.org.
According to forecasts referenced by ODOT, this event could last through Sunday. Updates will be provided as new information becomes available.
ODOT maintains transportation infrastructure throughout Oklahoma’s counties—including highways, bridges, railways, waterways and public transit—through its planning divisions focused on engineering operations as detailed on its official website https://oklahoma.gov/odot.html. The agency also supports economic development by promoting reliable networks while encouraging public involvement in decisions (https://oklahoma.gov/odot.html).
Brining operation footage is available through Brine Truck Footage.
