ODOT Crews Working Tonight, Overnight To Clear Roadways

Snow Blankets Central Ohio (Added: December 28, 2009)

Residents react, and NBC 4 has the latest on the effort to keep roads and highways clear. (more)

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ODOT Crews Working Tonight, Overnight To Clear Roadways

ODOT and city crews have been out working to help keep your roadways clear and are prepared for another round of snowfall Monday afternoon.

By: Donna Willis | NBC4i.com
Published: December 28, 2009

CENTRAL OHIO -- ODOT crews were to work until late Monday and overnight in some counties to help keep your roadways clear.

NBC 4's Tom Brockman and Patrick Preston reported with the FAST FACTS on Central Ohio road conditions.

MONDAY EVENING UPDATE: ODOT said it will have crews working in every county throughout District 6 until at least 11 p.m. Monday and in some cases through the overnight hours to make sure that the morning commute is safe and passable.

Eighty-five crews will be working in Delaware, Fayette, Franklin, Madison, Marion, Morrow, Pickaway and Union counties until 11 p.m.

ODOT's efforts will be focused on plowing back shoulders and treating trouble spots on roadways, ramps and bridges with salt, according to ODOT.

In the more rural counties, there is a concern for blowing snow since wind gusts could reach 35 mph overnight.

There will be 45 crews working from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. Tuesday in Fayette, Franklin, Madison, Morrow, Pickaway and Union counties.

If conditions warrant, more ODOT crews can be called in to work overnight Tuesday.

The snow stopped falling around midnight Monday.

Roads were slick because the initial snow melted and froze, creating a layer of ice underneath fresh snow.

Crews had time to clear up roads for a lighter-than-normal morning commute; most schools are on break.

ODOT had almost 100 plows spread out Sunday evening and into the overnight.

ODOT said there only were minor issues in District 6 (Delaware, Fayette, Franklin, Marion, Madison, Morrow, Pickaway and Union counties) overnight: drifting of snow onto roadways in rural counties, high winds and heavy traffic on Interstate 71, which made it more challenging for plows to clear and salt the interstate.

As many as 40 city trucks also salted local freeways and major roads overnight.

Most of the plowing and salting of roadways, ramps and bridges in District 6 was wrapped up by noon Monday.

The forecast was calling for additional snow fall Monday afternoon, and ODOT said it would update NBC 4 at about 3 p.m.

For additional information, stay with NBC 4 and refresh nbc4i.com -- Where Accuracy Matters.
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