12/8/2011
 
Thursday, December 8, 2011 – Ohio Department of Transportation District 12 will have crews out tonight and through the morning rush, as needed, in Cuyahoga, Lake & Geauga Counties as a result of forecasted freezing temperatures and snow.  This afternoon, crews in all three counties began pre-treating the roadways with a brine solution.  Brine is a solution of water and salt that helps reduce the chance of snow and ice bonding with the pavement.

We will be staffed through the night as follows:

Cuyahoga County – 45 snowplows will be out overnight and into the morning rush as needed. 
Lake County – 8 snowplows will be out overnight.  15 snowplows will be out for the morning rush if needed. 
Geauga County – 9 snowplows will be out overnight.  15 snowplows will be out for the morning rush if needed.

Last winter season, our statewide crews spent 700,000 hours plowing & treating roadways and bridges.  Ice & snow removal is one of our core services at ODOT.  Our men & women take great pride in having an immediate impact on the safety of our motorists and the state’s economy.

DON’T CROWD THE PLOW
-Snowplows make frequent stops & turns
-They travel approximately 35 MPH – much slower than the posted speeds
-Give them plenty of room to work
-The plows are wide and can cross the centerline or shoulder
-If you must pass one, use caution and beware of the snow cloud

Just last year, there were a total of 104 crashes involving snowplows statewide – 77 were caused by motorists running into the snowplow, 25 were caused by motorists rear-ending the snowplow.   

KNO B4 U GO:  Check out road & weather sensors, as well as current traffic speeds before you hit the road by visiting www.buckeyetraffic.org

Remember:  Ice & Snow…take it SLOW!

For more information contact:
The ODOT District 12 Communications Office at 216.584.2006
or email D12.PublicInformation@dot.state.oh.us