Crews continue efforts to clear snow, ice

While precipitation throughout much of the area has diminished, the snow, sleet, rain and freezing rain that swept through southern Ohio have left a slushy, icy mess across the region. 

Crews from the Ohio Department of Transportation – District 9 highway maintenance facilities continue working this morning to clear the state highway system, where pavement conditions vary from snow and ice compacted in the northern half of the district to wet and slushy in the far eastern section to clear and wet in the most southern areas.
 
In Lawrence County, where primarily it rained, routes are wet; however, they are slick, and black ice is possible. In addition to wet pavement, several routes have been closed due to flooding. These include S.R. 93 between the 9.0 and 11.0-mile markers near Pedro; S.R. 141 just north of its junction with S.R. 775 at Wilgus; and S.R. 775, just south of Wilgus and just south of S.R. 217 at Scottown.
 
Crews are plowing, pushing slush off the routes and applying materials, but freeze backs may occur on areas of wet pavement. In addition, crews are clearing downed trees and branches throughout the entire District 9 area, and they are monitoring high water locations in several counties.
 
Snowplow operators from ODOT’s garages in Adams, Brown, Highland, Jackson, Lawrence, Pike, Ross and Scioto counties will be working to clear the state highway system, motorists need to continue using extreme caution. Along with reducing their speed, drivers need to allow additional travel time and maintain a safe following distance behind other vehicles.
 
For more safe driving tips and statewide road condition information, visit ODOT on the web at www.Ohgo.com.