Crews working around the clock to keep Texas roads safe
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Posted: 6:30 PM Dec 16, 2008
Crews working around the clock to keep Texas roads safe
SHERMAN, TX ― TX-DOT and Sherman street crews have been working around the clock to melt the ice to keep the roads safe. Rashi Vats was live at six with more on the current road conditions.
Reporter: Rashi Vats
Email Address: rashi.vats@kxii.com
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SHERMAN, TX ― TX-DOT and Sherman street crews have been working around the clock to melt the ice to keep the roads safe. Rashi Vats was live at six with more on the current road conditions.

While it is still really cold outside, by now you can see more sand on the highways than ice. TX-DOT officials say even if it does warm up, it is still dangerous to be driving outside.

Highways and streets in Sherman got a new coating of sand, thanks to Sherman police and road crews working together to warm up the freezing situation.

"We get a call from the police department, we let the police department watch it and the police department calls us and then we’ll go out and sand the areas they have notified us to sand," Sherman street superintendent Jim Cullen says.

That sand costs the city $15 a ton. With two trucks carrying 5 to 6 tons of sand each, it costs the city just about $150 to provide traction on those slick surfaces. They say if we get more winter weather, they will be prepared.

"We have enough materials and equipment that we could go on for a month. Sherman is in fairly decent shape. It's only bridges that are iced over and a couple of hills," Cullen says.

Sherman police say the bridge on Grand Avenue is closed until further notice.

As for the area highways, TX-DOT says they are in good shape.

"It’s under control right now. Traffic is moving pretty good. We got trucks constantly running to keep the traction. We put out a meltdown-20 product which causes the ice to thaw out a little bit and melt. traffic is moving, it’s just slow. We advise everybody if you don't have to get out, don’t get out," TX-DOT area engineer Kevin Harris says.

Officials say in this cold weather bridges will freeze before roads because of the cold air underneath. So if you do have to drive on overpasses or bridges, be very cautious, drive slow, and be safe.


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