TxDOT Stays In Constant Motion
By: Tim Johnston
Updated: January 27, 2009
The Texas Department of Transportation is working, during these icy conditions, to make sure you're safe on the road.
"They're just out there spreading," says Mary Beth Kilgore, of TxDOT.
The sanding crews have been in constant motion since the icy weather hit the Big Country. "They fill up their trucks, and they're right back out, and it's just constant," describes Kilgore. Adding that the road crews have been working in 12 hour shifts to make sure that the roads stay safe. "How ever long it takes to make sure that the roads, bridges, and structures are safe for the public."
Although, TxDOT has a tall task keeping up with over 383 lane-miles in Taylor County. So what can you do to help?
"If you're traveling along and you see an icy patch, what you need to do is call your local law enforcement, and they in turn will call us. Then we can go out and hit the hot spots when we get calls," advises Kilgore.
She says TxDOT always hears complaints from drivers that say the roads look untreated. However, she cautions drivers not to be fooled, the magnesium chloride takes a few minutes to work. "You're not going to see it because it dissolves and it dissolves the ice. It just makes it look like water out there and that takes a minute so," says Kilgore.
As for any advice to drivers, "If you don't have to be out, stay at home."
With no break in the near future, TxDOT says they will continue to work the roads and keep them clean for your commute.


