KDOT ready to battle Mother Nature

Stocked and ready to go, the Kansas Department of Transportation is prepared to battle the elements of winter when Mother Nature strikes.

"Fortunately last winter was, on average, relatively mild and this helped us and our suppliers recover our salt reserves," KDOT Assistant Bureau Chief of Construction and Maintenance Peter Carttar said. "And we have shops throughout the state where we can deploy trucks when there's inclement weather."

KDOT is responsbile for maintaining almost 10,000 miles of roadway on the state highway system, which consists of interstate, Kansas and U.S. routes. Technology and roadway pre-treating materials will help the agency stay ahead of potential storms, a KDOT statement said.

The computer road weather information system used by KDOT provides pavement-specific weather forecasts, current temperature and condition of the pavement, as well as radar and satellite imagery. Supervisors in the field use forecasts and other weather tools to deploy maintenance personnel as effectively and efficiently as possible, the statement said.

Many KDOT maintenance vehicles are equipped with infrared pavement temperature sensors, which allow workers to monitor pavement conditions while they are on the road.

"We are in a tight economy, so we will be paying close attention to conserving our resources, using them wisely at the right time and place," Carttar said. "However, roadway maintenance during adverse weather conditions will be our top priority."

KDOT works to stay head of the storm by preventing snow and ice from bonding to the pavement. To do this, KDOT has routinely used salt brine on its roadways for snow and ice control since 1998, the KDOT statement said.

"Pre-treating with salt brine helps to minimize the impact of winter storms for motorists," Carttar said. "Salt brine gets into the pores of the pavement where it sits until needed. Plus, it can't be blown off by wind or traffic."

Salt brine is cost effective and can be applied during normal working hours before a storm hits and can stay on the road several days. It is a liquid made from granulated rock salt that is sprayed on pavement.

Motorists also play an important role in enhancing safety before traveling. KDOT reminds motorists to inspect and winterize their vehicles, allow extra time to travel, drive attentively and to wear safety belts.

Before traveling, motorists should also be informed about weather and road conditions. Call 511 anytime from any phone in Kansas or (866) 511-5368 from anywhere in the U.S. to find out about the latest driving conditions for the Kansas Turnpike and any interstate, U.S. or state highway in Kansas and Nebraska.

Phone numbers for road conditions in other states surrounding Kansas are also provided. Information is provided free from a landline phone; however, for cellular phone users, cell minutes may apply but there should be no roaming fee.

For everyone's safety, do not call 511 while driving, the KDOT statement said.