TXDOT Working Overtime to Keep Drivers Safe
By: Lisa Carr
Updated: January 28, 2009
Workers with the Texas Department of Transportation have been working non-stop the last couple of days to try and keep roads safe.
TXDOT started de-icing roadways at 10 A.M. yesterday. Some trucks are using salt to battle the ice on overpasses, bridges, and on and off ramps, while other trucks are spraying a liquid mixture of magnesium chloride to melt the ice away. It seems all the hard work is paying off. Police say they usually see upwards of a hundred wrecks in winter storms like this , but today only about 50 were reported with no major injuries.
Dianah Ascencio with TXDOT says, "We've been having great success with the liquid magnesium chloride that we're using right now. These are really the conditions that were seeing right now that the chemical was developed for and we've been seeing great results around the city with it." Local drivers agree, TXDOT is doing a great job. "Whatever they're putting on the roads to melt, it's doing a wonderful job."
Icy roads and highways could make traveling dangerous so, you may want to consider checking conditions before heading out. In TX call (800) 452-9292. In NM (800) 432-4269 . In OK (405) 425-2385.
