NCDOT preparing roads for winter weather

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The North Carolina Department of Transportation is preparing for the possibility of winter weather this weekend.

“On Tuesday, because of the weather predictions, we started looking at equipment, the labor, and salt inventory,” said DOT Assistant Division Engineer Gerard Taylor.

Taylor said the salt brine operation began Wednesday.

“Salt brine is about 23% salt,” Taylor said. “Too much salt is not a good thing.”

Once snow and ice start to fall, that changes.

“Then, you wind up having to change to something more solid, either rock salt or road salt,” Taylor said.

Taylor said the DOT will be ready for any possibility this weekend.

“We are making preparations, ordering salt, and getting ready for the worst possible event we can have–but we’ll hope for the best event, which is a ‘none’ event,” Taylor said.

Even if snow or ice does occur, Taylor said local drivers should still avoid using the roads.

“Use caution as you travel the roadways. By all means, stay at home if you can,” Taylor said. “It’s a weekend. Enjoy it, if you can, with your family.”

Taylor said the DOT will be out on the roads all day tomorrow pouring the brine. If you see a DOT truck pouring, keep back at a safe distance of several feet.