RALEIGH – State transportation officials are making progress plowing snow and ice from interstates and four-lane highways, but it will take several days to clear other state-maintained roads, and icy spots will make driving difficult in some areas.
“Our crews worked hard to clear most interstates yesterday and are now working on other major and two-lane roads, but we anticipate the hardest-hit areas will see impacts to the roads in the days to come,” State Transportation Secretary Daniel Johnson said. “Please be patient and give our crews space to work. Conditions vary across the state. We encourage people to avoid driving where snow and ice still cover the roads and to exercise caution and reduce speed when driving.”
From the mountains to the coast, crews spent much of Sunday plowing* and salting the interstates and major thoroughfares.
In the mountains, Interstates 40 and 26, and U.S. 23/U.S. 74 were clear with some icy spots by late Sunday afternoon. In central North Carolina, I-40 in the Piedmont Triad and U.S. 74 were clear with possible icy spots reforming overnight. In eastern North Carolina, I-95 was clear by Sunday afternoon.
NCDOT crews and contractors started later Sunday and Monday working on other primary routes and important connectors.
But it will take a few days to clear many routes, particularly in northeastern North Carolina where some areas saw over 1 foot of snow. NCDOT captured this video of plowing operations Sunday on the Outer Banks and counties near the Virginia border.
N.C. 12, the main road on Hatteras and Ocracoke islands, remains closed from Oregon Inlet to Rodanthe due to severe ocean overwash. The road is also closed on Ocracoke Island.
NCDOT crews will be working to address black ice as it will remain a challenge for the coming days on many road surfaces.
Salt Supplies
NCDOT has sufficient supplies of road salt and anti- and de-icing supplies to continue its work statewide in the wake of this recent storm. However, after back-to-back storms with broad impact, supplies across the state are diminished. The agency is working with suppliers to restock for future events and making necessary adjustments to move supplies to areas of greatest need. Nationally, many states and suppliers are facing shortages after repeated winter events.
NCDOT continues to focus its efforts on clearing state-maintained roads as quickly and effectively as possible.
NCDOT is encouraging local governments, public works departments, and emergency management agencies to coordinate directly with private suppliers or contracted local vendors for their salt or treatment needs.
Other Travel Service Impacts
As of Monday morning, 65 driver license offices were closed and another four were delaying opening due to hazardous road conditions. Forty-seven other offices were not performing road tests today due to the dangerous roads. Also, 85 license plate agencies are closed with 18 others working on opening later today. Check the status of an office on the NCDMV’s website.
All seven ferry routes are temporarily suspended today due to some combination of heavy winds and ice- and snow-covered roads leading to the ferry terminals. The NCDOT Ferry Division will assess conditions and reopen when it’s safe to do so.
NC By Train, the state’s intercity passenger rail service, is back to full service today.
As conditions improve across the state, NCDOT’s Division of Aviation is standing by to support the transition back to normal operations at North Carolina’s airports. Most general aviation airports are expected to fully reopen today, and most commercial service airports are operational as airlines work toward a return to regular service. Fuel supplies remain in good condition. Staff with the N.C. Division of Aviation supported the State Emergency Response Team through the Critical Infrastructure SERT and AirSERT as part of the statewide response.
NCDOT’s Integrated Mobility Division supports public transit agencies statewide and is coordinating with agencies on post-storm recovery efforts. NCDOT staff are providing resources and support needed to address storm impacts for agencies that delayed or suspended operations during the recent storm.
For real-time travel information, visit DriveNC.gov or follow NCDOT on social media.
(*Plowing video: The video montage shows plowing operations at NCDOT Maintenance Yard in Yadkin County, on U.S. 221 in Ashe County, a snow plow train in the Charlotte area, U.S. 321 in Watauga County, and on Interstate 95 in Cumberland County).