News release from INDOT:
Snow May Impact Morning Rush in Northern Indiana
Falling Temps on Friday May Lead to Black Ice
(March 2, 2016) – Weather forecasts are predicting snow to fall in northern Indiana during this morning’s rush. The highest snow totals are predicted for northwest Indiana, where up to 3 inches may fall through Thursday evening. The National Weather Service has declared Winter Weather Advisories for Lake and Porter counties.
Webmaster’s note: Click here for the latest National Weather Service forecast for our immediate area.
Trained Indiana Department of Transportation employees are ready to plow and treat interstates, U.S. highways and state routes around the clock with alternating shifts of 12 hours or more. Each plow route takes 2-3 hours to complete with salt assisting in melting between passes.
INDOT urges drivers to reschedule optional trips during and shortly after winter precipitation as that’s when road conditions will be the worst.
Don’t crowd the plow
Drivers are urged to make room for INDOT’s yellow plow trucks so they can complete their routes. Roads clogged from crashes or rush-hour congestion prevent plow trucks from clearing and treating highways in a timely manner.
Drivers may see plow trucks working in tandem on multi-lane state highways. Traffic should not attempt to pass plow trucks if all lanes are blocked, but stay a safe distance and speed behind. Road conditions are always better behind a plow at work than in front.
Low temps to follow storm
INDOT plow crews will work to make state highways as clear and dry as quickly as possible. Following the storm, temperatures are predicted to fall on Friday, March 4, which may cause refreezing of any remaining storm runoff or melt water.
Ice can be the most difficult road conditions for drivers to navigate and plow crews to treat because four-wheel-drive vehicles and large trucks are no match if all tires are on ice. “Black ice” or “slick spots” can also be hard for drivers to distinguish from wet pavement.
INDOT maintenance supervisors will monitor local weather forecasts, our statewide network of bridge and pavement sensors, and reports from law enforcement or the public. Salt trucks are deployed to treat state highways just before pavement temperatures fall below freezing. Granular salt helps to add traction while lowering the temperature at which the ice melts.
As there are changes in forecasted and observed road conditions, INDOT will adjust its call-out of manpower, trucks and materials and shift resources as appropriate.
There are several steps that drivers can take to minimize the risk of losing control on icy roads:
- Consult hourly weather forecasts and schedule high-speed and long-distance trips during the warmer hours of the day. This will help save the extra time needed to slow down and drive according to the conditions.
- Know before you go by checking local road and bridge pavement sensors at and the red-yellow-green traffic speeds on your mobile map app of choice or https://indot.carsprogram.org.
- Monitor current air temperatures and slow down if conditions are near or below freezing. Watch how salt trucks, emergency vehicles and other drivers are responding to the weather.
- Apply anti-lock brakes firmly when encountering ice. Pump brakes that are not anti-lock. Do not overcorrect with steering.
Know before you go
There are several state resources that drivers can access to “know before you go”:
- Counties post travel advisories as new information is available to in.gov/dhs/ or the Indiana Travel Advisory app for iPhone or Android.
- INDOT maintenance staff report color-coded winter driving conditions on INDOT’s TrafficWise map at https://indot.carsprogram.org. Road conditions are defined as: (1) Gray: Good, the road is clear (2) Blue: Fair, speed is reduced due to isolated patches of snow and ice, and (3) Violet: Difficult or hazardous, speed is reduced due to snow and/or ice covered pavement
- Dial INDOT’s hotline toll-free at 1-800-261-ROAD (7623) or 511 from a mobile phone.
- Find your regional INDOT district on Facebook and Twitter at https://in.gov/indot/3074.htm.
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