NCDOT: Crews make progress clearing snow, but full cleanup expected to take days
RALEIGH, NC (WWAY) — Crews with the North Carolina Department of Transportation are making progress clearing snow and ice from interstates and major highways across the state, but officials say it will take several days to fully clear many other state-maintained roads, especially in areas hit hardest by the storm.
State Transportation Secretary Daniel Johnson said crews worked extensively to clear most interstates and are now shifting focus to other major and two-lane roads. He urged drivers to be patient and give road crews space as conditions continue to vary across the state.
From the mountains to the coast, NCDOT crews spent much of Sunday plowing and salting interstates and major routes. In western North Carolina, Interstates 40 and 26, along with U.S. 23 and U.S. 74, were mostly clear by late Sunday afternoon, though some icy spots remained. In central North Carolina, I-40 through the Piedmont Triad and U.S. 74 were clear, with the potential for refreezing overnight. In eastern North Carolina, I-95 was clear by Sunday afternoon.
Crews and contractors began working late Sunday and into Monday on additional primary routes and key connectors. However, officials say clearing many roads will take several days, particularly in northeastern North Carolina, where some areas received more than a foot of snow.
NCDOT warns that black ice will remain a concern over the coming days as melting snow refreezes on road surfaces, making driving conditions unpredictable.
Along the coast, N.C. 12 remains closed from Oregon Inlet to Rodanthe due to severe ocean overwash. The roadway is also closed on Ocracoke Island.
The department says it has enough road salt and anti-icing materials to continue operations statewide, though supplies have been reduced following back-to-back winter storms. NCDOT says it is working with suppliers to restock and is prioritizing deliveries to areas with the greatest need. Officials note that salt shortages are affecting many states nationwide and encourage local governments to coordinate with private suppliers or contracted vendors if additional materials are needed.
Other transportation services remain impacted. As of Monday morning, dozens of driver license offices were closed or delayed opening because of hazardous road conditions, and many locations were not conducting road tests. Numerous license plate agencies were also closed, with some expected to reopen later in the day.
All seven ferry routes remain temporarily suspended due to high winds and snow- or ice-covered access roads. Ferry service will resume when conditions are deemed safe.
