NCDOT prepares roads and bridges ahead of potential hazardous weather in Cape Fear

NEW HANOVER COUNTY (WWAY) — The NCDOT is prepping for potentially hazardous conditions in our area.  

Friday morning, the DOT began sending trucks out to stay ahead of the potential inclement weather approaching Cape Fear this weekend.  

“With the unknown of this storm, the uncertainty if it’s going to be, you know, snow or rain, we just want to be prepared,” said Blake Jacobs.  

Blake Jacobs is a New Hanover County maintenance engineer for the NCDOT.   

He says the trucks will spray a brine pre-treatment on the roads in our region. 

“Starting with all our major routes going from 40 to 140, down to our 421’s, and 74, 17. We want to make sure we get all of our island bridges pre-treated,” said Jacobs.  

Island and high-rise bridges are prone to freezing, and with the potential for rain on Sunday, black ice may develop.  

Jacobs says the DOT is already planning for that possibility.   

“We’re going to have a crew here Sunday evening into Monday morning with our salt spreaders, so we would, if we get a call, or if we are aware of any black ice or slick spots on bridges or whatever, we’re going to be prepared to go out with our salt spreaders and put salt on top of it,” said Jacobs.  

Beyond road conditions, there are other steps residents can take now to prepare for the weather.  

Steven’s Ace Hardware in New Hanover County is placing full pallets of salt out in front of the store to help customers get ready for potentially icy conditions.  

Owner and manager Stephanie Stevens says it’s all about keeping people safe. 

“We just wanted to get prepared for people if they needed to salt their driveways, and their walkways, and their steps, so no one falls down with the ice. Usually here it turns to ice, so we just want everybody to know we have these things,” said Stevens. 

With the long weekend, officials recommend that people remain in their homes, if possible, to avoid driving in any bad weather conditions.