Please be alert for brine spray trucks out today and Wednesday
PADUCAH, KY (Jan. 7, 2025) – Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) District 1 crews plan to begin pre-treating state highways this afternoon ahead of the next winter weather event, forecast to hit our region on Friday.
Motorists are advised to be alert for brine spray trucks and support vehicles out on the road this afternoon and Wednesday.
The KYTC District 1 supertanker is expected to spray much of Interstate 24 on Wednesday. The supertanker can spray at Interstate speeds, helping speed the application process and preventing traffic slowdown.
When brine is sprayed on pavement, it dries to leave a fine powder coating of salt that sticks to the road surface. The powdered salt is then available to be activated by falling precipitation in the early hours of a snow and ice event. It initially improves driving conditions by melting snow as it falls, then makes it easier for crews to plow snow later in the event by keeping frozen precipitation from bonding to the pavement.
The National Weather Service (NWS) continues to predict a drastic drop in temperatures this week, along with bitterly cold wind chills, which will last for several days.
Pre-treating with brine generally requires temperatures above 20 degrees Fahrenheit. Crews will not be working overnight tonight but will pick up again tomorrow where they left off. As temperatures inch up above 20 degrees tomorrow, crews will continue their pre-treating activities.
While the forecast is expected to evolve, the National Weather Service indicates snow will start before or around dawn on Friday, with a possibility of two to four inches of snow accumulation in all District 1 counties, in addition to the extreme cold.
Motorists are advised to closely monitor the local forecast for updates and be aware of the potential for rapid changes in driving conditions as the system moves in.
As a reminder, the U.S. 45 Ohio River “Brookport” Bridge in Paducah is closed until further notice due to icing. Motorists should detour via the Interstate 24 Ohio River Bridge. KYTC District 1 will provide a timely update when it reopens.
KYTC District 1 has about 87 snow plows, five tow-plows, and several contract plows to cover 2,852 miles of highway in Kentucky’s 12 westernmost counties.
Visit snowky.ky.gov for snow and ice resources, like priority route maps, tips and highway district updates. Travel info is available at goky.ky.gov.