LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Road crews in both Kentucky and Indiana spent much of Monday pre-treating major routes as the region prepared for the season's first measurable snowfall.
Officials with the Indiana Department of Transportation and Louisville Metro Public Works said crews began brining roads around 9 a.m., taking advantage of favorable conditions ahead of the expected snow. Road surface temperatures hovered around 31 degrees Monday, allowing brine to remain effective. Public Works officials said brine works down to roughly 20 degrees.
After a disruptive storm last January, Louisville Metro said it's increased communication with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet to ensure brining begins earlier and covers more ground. Still, not every neighborhood will see pre-treatment, particularly streets governed by homeowners associations or those in smaller municipalities.
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"We've actually removed some roadways — we added 24 roadways or sections of roadways onto our snow maps this year, so I think we are going to be more efficient," Public Works Director Bill Bell said, adding the department has more equipment available this winter.
INDOT officials said all 148 state-maintained routes in the Southeast District were being treated Monday as crews worked districtwide.
As preparations unfolded on both sides of the river, shoppers flocked to Brownsboro Hardware to stock up on salt, shovels and other winter supplies. Owner Doug Carroll said the first meaningful snowfall always brings a rush.
"We tend to stock up a little heavier on some of the snow-melt products and snow shovels, knowing we still have three months of winter left," Carroll said. "This is only the beginning."
Louisville Metro Public Works said 14 trucks were deployed Monday for pre-treatment, with another 100 trucks on standby should conditions deteriorate overnight before the Tuesday morning commute.
Both agencies urged drivers to slow down and allow extra travel time on treated or slick roads.
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