The sun is spreading its rays this week, but it is not too early for the City of Dallas to plan ahead to keep commuters safe on winter’s icy roads.
Previous winter ice storms have been a nightmare for many North Texans who recall being apprehensive about leaving their driveways or spinning across several lanes of traffic on black ice.
The City of Dallas has typically treated icy roads with sand after severe weather events in the past. However, the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee recently discussed a more proactive approach to planning for winter weather in Dallas.
One of the efforts under consideration is the option to pre-treat roads with a brine solution, according to NBC 5 DFW. This would prevent ice and snow from sticking to the roads, reducing the risk of accidents caused by slippery roads.
The initial focus of the winter weather plan is to treat bridges and overpasses, starting from the center of the city and moving outward. DART bus and EMS routes will receive special attention. It is worth noting that Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) roads will not be pre-treated, as TxDOT has already implemented similar measures. Additionally, residential areas are not included in this plan unless needed for emergency vehicles.
What remains to be communicated is what this plan means in terms of more equipment, employees, and cost to taxpayers.
When winter weather arrives, TxDOT crews work around the clock to ensure the safety of the roadways by using salt, sand, and chemical de-icers. In addition, they employ plows to remove snow and ice from the roads. TxDOT advises drivers to maintain a safe distance from the road-clearing equipment and not attempt to pass while crews are working.
