The Louisville Metro Department of Public Works is bracing to treat roadways as a wintry mix of snow, sleet and freezing rain is expected to hit the city Sunday morning and last into Monday.
Members of the Louisville Metro Snow Team have been working since Tuesday to ensure equipment is ready to use in the coming weather, Department of Public Works spokesperson Salvador Melendez said in a news release.
The team covers 110 snow routes using 160 pieces of equipment to keep them safe to drive on, which amounts to 1,362 miles of road, according to the Louisville Metro website.
Here’s what you need to know about how Public Works keeps Louisville’s roads safe:
Louisville Metro Public Works is preparing for a major winter expected to start in Louisville on Sunday.
Which roads will be plowed first for snow in Louisville?
According to the Louisville Metro website, Public Works is prioritizing clearing certain types of roadways, many of which are busy corridors or connect to major destinations:
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Arterial Roads: High capacity urban roads, e.g. roads in Bardstown, Brownsboro and Shelbyville.
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Collection roads: Streets designed to collect traffic and direct it to arterial roads, e.g. Camp Ground Road, Dorsey and Hess Lanes, Stony Brook Drive.
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Other local roads: Other priority roads are usually roads that connect to local employers, hospitals and emergency routes.
What types of snow and ice treatments are used on Louisville roads?
Brine treatment: Before a storm hits, a liquid salt mixture is sprayed on the roads. The brine disrupts the process of snow and ice adhering to roads during the first part of the storm, making later salting or plowing more efficient.
Phase I, problem points when salting: Light snow or icing of wet pavement can cause slippery conditions on isolated parts of the road, such as bridges, overpasses and observed slick spots. These areas are first salted.
Stage II, salting snow routes: Public Works will salt all 110 snow routes when the area receives approximately two inches of snow.
Stage III, snow plows: Plowing usually begins when snow accumulation is more than about two inches. If snow continues to accumulate, plowing and salting will continue.
Residents can monitor salting and plowing progress during a winter storm in Louisville using the Metro Snow Map.
Who handles Louisville’s highways during a winter storm?
Interstate highways and their on- and off-ramps are cleared by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet District 5, which serves Jefferson County and other surrounding areas.
The district has 172 trucks available at all times to salt and plow the region’s highways, including 72 for Louisville alone, said Morgan Woodrum, KYTC District 5 spokesperson.
Like the Louisville Metro Department of Public Works, the cabinet also uses a system that prioritizes traffic volume and access to critical needs when clearing snow routes, Woodrum said.
KYTC’s priority routes for each county can be found here, and residents can see which highways have been treated for snow and ice here.
How can drivers stay safely on the road during a winter storm?
Melendez advised motorists to heed the following tips:
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Don’t slow down or rush: Approach roads with caution as they can be icy and slippery.
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Plan ahead: Plan a trip that takes twice as much time as in normal weather.
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Give the Snow Team space to work: Snow plows are large and bulky, and sudden maneuvers around them create additional hazards.
Contact reporter Killian Baarlaer at kbaarlaer@gannett.com or @bkillian72 on.
This article originally appeared in the Louisville Courier Journal: Which roads will be plowed first in Louisville? How streets are chosen
