Just before 7 a.m. today, icy weather crept into Northern Blair County and blasted Tyrone, Bellwood and the surrounding areas with a layer of frozen precipitation that caused some pretty tricky driving conditions.
But thanks to the local men and women who work on our roadways each and every day, drivers can expect to be operating their vehicles in the best conditions possible.
“What can you say?” asked state Department of Transportation Director of Public Relations Asbury Lee. “It’s winter and we’re tackling the conditions with everyone we’ve got.”
According to Lee, PENNDOT has its road crews working in dual-shifts, which provides for “around-the-clock” coverage.
“Right now, we’re treating the roads with salts and anti-skid,” said Lee. “This is the second ice storm we had this year, but we prepared well for this weather today and we have a good hold on the situation.”
Icy conditions in Bellwood and Tyrone also had work crews tending to their trucks early this morning.
“Our crews have been out working the roads since the weather hit at about seven o’clock,” said Tyrone Mayor Patricia Stoner. “They’re lying down plenty of salt and anti-skid all in an effort to keep the roadways clear and safe for driving.”
Stoner said crews would plow the streets when more than an inch of snow accumulates. She noted the borough is not responsible for clean-up on Pennsylvania, Clay and Washington avenues and 15th and Tenth streets. These roads are the responsibility of PENNDOT.
In Bellwood, crews were also out early. According to Susan Waite, borough secretary, workers were out salting the roadways just before 7 a.m.
“Our roads seem to be always good,” said Waite. “Our guys are really persistent about keeping everything clear on the roads and making sure driving conditions are adequate.”
According to Waite, four trucks worked the entire morning.
“Everyone needs to exercise much more caution when driving in conditions like this,” said Lee. “It sounds repetitive, and it needs to be. Drivers need to be more careful.”
Lee said in conditions such as the ones experienced by motorists this morning, the first thing to remember is slow down and allow more distance between you and the vehicle in front of you.
“And use that little bit of extra caution,” he said. “Be aware of the drivers pulling from side streets, watch for children as they dart in and between cars parked along the roadways, and keep an eye on the guy driving in front of you.”
Lee also cautions drivers operating in “slushy” conditions.
“The tendency is to let you guard down a little when everything’s slushy, but that’s not the best idea,” he said. “If a driver strays off into the slushy areas, it can actually pull the car out of control.”
He also cautioned drivers concerning Pennsylvania law and clearing snow and ice from windows.
“It only takes a few extra minutes to get all that stuff off there,” he said. “Even when you make it to work and decide to go to lunch midway through the day, make sure the ice and snow is off all windows. It’s the law.”
The National Weather Service is calling for sleet and snow and a significant accumulation of ice by evening. An inch or so of snow and sleet also possible. Highs in the lower 30s. Northeast winds 5 to 10 mph.
Tonight is calling for more freezing rain, sleet or snow is likely this evening, then cloudy with areas of fog. Little additional snow and ice accumulation. Temperatures steady in the lower 30s. Light and variable winds. Chance of precipitation 60 percent.
