MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Friday’s winter weather is already posing major problems on the roads.
Local and state crews don’t know if they’ll be able to treat the roads before Mother Nature packs an icy punch.
Unlike many storms, it’s going to rain up until the snow Friday morning, so crews can’t treat the roads.
They said the brine would weaken.
Crews are hoping for a window where the rain stops, and they can get out there, but this looks like a storm they have to battle once it arrives.
“There’s little opportunity to put brine down,” said Memphis Public Works Director Robert Knecht.
Memphis road crews typically treat bridges, overpasses and major roads before winter weather, but this time, they can’t.
“You can’t do it when there is a good chance of rain occurring, because it would dilute to the point where it isn’t any use,” said Knecht.
Both city and state crews said they’re defenseless and forced to play the waiting game.
They’ll monitor the storm, and when it’s about to hit, salt trucks will fan out and treat icy patches they see or hear about.
Crews will focus on bridges, overpasses, hilly areas and then major intersections.
“They panic and everything. They are sliding all over the road,” said Memphis driver Joshua Spearman.
He said winter weather triggers chaos in the Mid-South.
Take Wednesday morning for an example, there were crashes all over the city, primarily on overpasses.
What’s scary, crews were able to treat the roads beforehand.
“Just take your time, that’s all you got to do. Just take your time,” said Spearman.
The National Weather Service has already said traveling will be difficult, if possible, in the Mid-South Friday.
TDOT and the City of Memphis said it will meet again Thursday and devise a better plan.
