GAINESVILLE, Ga. — The Georgia Department of Transportation is preparing for a winter weather event expected to bring snow and dangerously cold temperatures to Northeast Georgia beginning early Saturday, Jan. 31.
Forecasts call for light to significant snowfall across the region, including mountain and foothill counties, followed by extremely cold temperatures. In response, the Georgia Department of Transportation has begun repositioning personnel, equipment and materials to support winter operations throughout Northeast Georgia.
Pretreatment with brine is scheduled to begin at 7 a.m. Friday, Jan. 30, ahead of the expected snowfall. Crews will focus first on interstates, U.S. highways and other high-priority routes, followed by additional state routes as conditions allow.
Georgia DOT has replenished brine supplies used during last weekend’s storm and reports nearly 2 million gallons of brine available statewide, with resources staged locally for Northeast Georgia operations.
In areas expected to see the greatest impacts, crews will pretreat outside lanes only on interstates, including Interstate 85 through Northeast Georgia, Interstate 985, and key interstate ramps and connectors. Officials said the strategy allows crews to cover the greatest number of roadways while preparing routes for plowing once snow begins.
Because of the size of the storm and the potential for widespread impacts, Georgia DOT said it will manage resources to maximize coverage and keep routes passable. On multi-lane interstates, crews will treat the two outside lanes and ramps. On interstates with two lanes in each direction, the outside lane and ramps will be treated.
Snowplows, spreaders, dump trucks and heavy-duty pickup trucks equipped with plows are staged across Northeast Georgia and will remain active throughout the storm. Plowing operations will continue during and after snowfall ends.
Georgia DOT cautioned that due to large, fluffy snowflakes and extremely low temperatures, snow accumulation is expected to continue even after routes are treated and plowed. Motorists should not expect roadways to remain clear during periods of heavy snowfall, even after plows have passed.
Contractor crews will supplement state forces as needed. Officials urged residents to avoid travel whenever possible on Saturday and Sunday, noting that keeping traffic off the roads allows crews to work more effectively and improves safety.
Drivers who must travel are advised to use extreme caution, reduce speeds, increase following distance and remain alert for snowplows and emergency vehicles.
HERO and CHAMP units will be available to assist stranded motorists on interstates and major routes as conditions allow. Motorists needing assistance can call 511.
Georgia DOT reminded drivers that local and county roads are maintained by local governments and may have different treatment plans. Residents should check with local officials for updates on county and city road conditions.
Motorists can find real-time road conditions, closures and traffic updates at 511ga.org or by calling 511. Updates will also be shared on Georgia DOT Northeast social media channels as conditions develop.
