LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Road crews are working around the clock to keep the roads clear and safe, especially with the coming winter events, which could lead to black ice on the streets.
"We strongly encourage people not to get out until things thaw," Pulaski County Public Works Director Tab Townsell said. "[It'll] refreeze and be probably slicker than anything we've seen before."
Townsell said their department focuses more on hillsides, intersections, and bridges by using sanding and blading methods so vehicles traveling can better grip the road.
"For us on lesser traveled roads, and typically the county roads are lesser traveled, the sand provides the better correction," Townsell said. "Lots of times, the blades only cause things to get slicker, like a Zamboni on a hockey rink, so that's why we're focusing on sanding, particularly the troublesome spots."
Townsell said sanding helps significantly in strange weather conditions, like here in central Arkansas, where the snow and air are dry. It causes them to apply often.
"We are looking at blading where it's applicable and works and benefits, unlike what most people may think," Townsell said. "The blades do not get all the snow and ice off the roads. They leave a remnant under these cold conditions that can freeze over and make the roads more treacherous. If you blade the traction off them, that's why we're focusing on the sanding right now."
Arkansas Department of Transportation Public Information Officer Dave Parker said the interstates were pre-treated with salt and sand all week. Still, Parker said they're stepping up their methods due to the concern of black ice from Tuesday night's refreeze.
"We're going back and plowing the shoulder area, especially to push it away even more because we know as the sun hits, some of that snow is going to melt," Parker said. "You're going to get a little small river coming back across, so we don't want that coming right across the interstate or highway tonight when it gets even colder."
According to Parker, all the interstates are pretty much clear, but don't let your guard down of not being aware of any slick areas, dark spots, or frozen water.
"Snow is not going to go anywhere really for a while because Thursday, temperatures dropped again overnight, and we may have a little system come in and add [a] little bit of snow, maybe a little bit of freezing rain on Thursday," Parker said. "It will be cold and wet for at least another three to four days."