TxDOT preparing roads with winter weather on the way
A strong cold front has made its way through North Texas and temperatures are tumbling.
With the chance of snow or a wintry mix in the forecast for late in the week, TxDOT is already taking steps to prepare.
TxDOT Treating Roads
Dallas Weather: Temperatures to fall below freezing
Dallas-Fort Worth will see temperatures fall below freezing on Monday. Low temperatures are expected to stay below freezing for the rest of the week. There is also a chance that we could see snow on Thursday and Friday. FOX 4's Dylan Federico has more.
While the beginning of the week is expected to stay dry, TxDOT is making an effort to treat roads ahead of some precipitation late in the week.
All the major highways in Dallas and Fort Worth were treated with brine on Friday.
"When the precipitation falls, it'll dilute with that brine, and it lowers the freezing point. What we're trying to prevent, we're trying to prevent that ice from bonding on the roadway," said Val Lopez, Public Information Officer for TxDOT's Fort Worth District.
With the pre-treatment of the roads out of the way, crews are ready to respond when the snow or wintry mix comes later this week.
"When the incoming weather does roll in, our focus is really going to shift to the elevated surfaces, the bridges and the overpasses," said Lopez.
TxDOT says crews are already working 12-hour shifts until the winter weather passes.
That includes employees who can fight ice, remove snow and put down more brine of sand if necessary.
North Texans Prepare for Cold Snap
North Texans were out on Sunday to stock up on firewood to keep their homes warm.
Cody White and his family were one of the many getting firewood at the Valero gas station on Glade Road in Colleyville on Sunday evening.
"You never know with Texas what might happen," White said.
The winter weather of years past has Andrew Rampley making sure his mom is set with enough firewood for the week.
"A couple of years ago when it all froze over, it was quite a situation so trying to avoid all that now," said Rampley.
The cold might be an unwelcome guest for some, but others don't mind a hint of winter.
"Give me a couple of days and I’ll probably change my tune, but for right now this actually feels pretty good, like winter is actually here," said Dean Minchillo. "It’ll be hot again before we know it and we’ll be complaining about the summer so just enjoy it while we have it."