NDOT Continues to Prepare for Winter Driving Conditions | Local News

With freezing temperatures expected overnight throughout the week, NDOT is preparing for winter driving conditions. Especially on some local bridges.

There are four bridges on I-580 between Reno and Carson City. Every year, shortly before winter, road maintenance departments change and clean the recesses for the anti-icing systems on these bridges.

“There are recess discs that spray an anti-icing solution of potassium acetate onto the bridge utilities to reduce the rapid freezing of moisture on the bridges,” said Meg Ragonese, public information officer for NDOT.

Ragonese says crews are cleaning the recess nozzles that are integrated into the bridge supply. Make sure there is no dirt or anything else blocking the system.

Due to the environment between the two cities, Ragonese said this is a unique circumstance as only these four bridges have a special anti-ice system.

NDOT has also made other preparations since August, such as: B. the storage of salt and sand and the production of brine solution.

“In fact, we already have 30,000 cubic meters of salt and sand in stock and can distribute it on winter highways to improve traction. We make a brine-salt water solution in-house, which also helps lower the freezing point of any winter moisture on our highways.”

While NDOT is making extensive preparations for winter driving conditions, drivers are still encouraged to make their own preparations as well.

Ragonese says: “It’s also a good time for drivers to prepare. That means you'll need to make sure your vehicle's tires are in good condition, pack snow chains, and pack any other winter essentials you'll need when traveling in wet weather.”

Drivers should also remember to drive slower, leave more space between other vehicles and be particularly careful when driving in stormy and slippery road conditions.