Here’s a look at how the Memphis TDOT office is preparing for winter weather

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) - After potentially dangerous storms, definitely dangerous cold temperatures will settle in.

Snow and ice could be a big problem on area roads, some freeze faster than others.

That’s why crews with the Tennessee Department of Transportation are ready to go.

Action News 5 visited TDOT’s management center in East Memphis to get an inside look at how they’re preparing for inclement weather.

“They are always on the clock, no matter the time of day. 24/7,” said TDOT Community Relations Officer Nichole Lawrence.

TDOT Community Relations Officer Nichole Lawrence says the mighty crew inside the center is the eagle eye in the sky.

They monitoring 128 cameras on Shelby and Fayette County state roadways and the crews on them.

“It is important that we’re able to move those cameras so that we can visually see and help take care of anything that we need to,” said Lawrence.

Lawrence says 100 TDOT crews with be assisting in our district in Shelby, Fayette, Tipton, and Lauderdale counties.

Some of those crews will be carrying this salt brine mixture spreading them across highways, bridges and overpasses in our area come Saturday.

The low temperatures expected, have TDOT adding calcium chloride and potato juice to the mix. Lawrence say they help make ice melt quicker.

“They are watching our bridges and overpasses, our cruise out on the roads are making sure the plows are ready to go,” said Lawrence. “Our tanks are gassed up. The salt brine tanks are full and ready to go and treat those roads this weekend.”

As always, if you can stay home, do it.

But if you must go out, Lawrence has these words of advice.

“Make sure that you are planning ahead,” said Lawrence. “Make sure you’re checking the smart way map. Make sure that you’re checking those road conditions and don’t crowd the plow. If you see our crews out there working, move over, slow down. Work with us when we are out there, trying to make that pavement come to light from the snow event.”

The City of Memphis will also be out with salting city over passes and roads.

Click here to sign up for our newsletter!

Click here to report a spelling or grammar error. Please include the headline.

Copyright 2024 WMC. All rights reserved.