TxDOT Austin spraying roads ahead of icy conditions in Central Texas
As recently as two years ago, a freeze or light snowfall meant Austin roadways were slippery nightmares for days on end. After Winter Storm Uri left folks stranded, the city has taken measures to ensure that Central Texas isn’t an ice-skating rink this winter.
TxDOT vehicles are now driving through Austin and treating the roads in an effort to prepare for inclement weather in Central Texas.
The National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning in effect from 9 a.m. Monday, January 30 until noon Wednesday, February 1 in Austin and the Texas Hill Country. NWS says to expect “significant icing” which could accumulate to a quarter or half an inch.
TxDOT is asking Austin residents to leave room between vehicles and TxDOT convoys as it sprays brine roadways on Monday. The department has 19 spray trucks used to pre-treat roads ahead of icy conditions.
The department also says it has ways to clear the roads if necessary. In November 2022, TxDOT in Austin added three snow plows following extreme weather in 2021 and 2022.
“Uri two years ago and Landon last year; and even though we’ve only had a few, we felt that the time was right to add three plows to our fleet,” Austin District Engineer Tucker Ferguson said at a press conference in November 2022.
