TDOT preparing Tennessee Valley for possible winter weather this week

The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) is preparing for a significant weather event with snow forecasted to hit the Tennessee Valley on Friday.

Covering 24 counties in the Tennessee Valley and the Upper Cumberland Plateau, Rae Anne Bradley, Regional Communications Officer for TDOT said their crews follow a very detailed weather plan and are equipped to treat 7,000 lane miles during the possible snow event.

"We have 182 salt trucks. We have 158 brine trucks. We have 196,3560 gallons of brine and then we have 44 salt bins," said Bradley.

Year round, TDOT monitors the weather forecast for any incoming snow or ice.
"So, our maintenance team ensures that all of our equipment is fully functional, ready to go and staff may be on call to come in after hours or on weekends, just depending on when we expect the inclement weather to hit our area."

She said Tuesday, crews started loading trucks with brine, which will help mitigate some of the impacts from the snow and ice.

"Tomorrow we're scheduled to make more brine and apply the brine, and then Thursday we'll begin loading salt and salting our interstates and state routes," said Bradley.

During winter weather events TDOT will focus on clearing and salting roads.

"Based on traffic volume, their importance, such as access to hospitals and they're usage, and as most already know interstates are the highest priority," Bradley explained.

While they're still finalizing a plan for Friday's possible weather, Bradley said they are prepared to keep the roads safe for drivers.

"We're fully stocked. In terms of supplies, we're ready to go. Our equipment is ready to go. Our crews are ready to go and we're ready to tackle this inclement weather event head on."
Any time you see TDOT trucks on the roads, Bradley encourages drivers to be patient, move over and slow down, to give them space to do their job.

If you can, Bradley said the safest place to be during any weather event is at home.