AUSTIN, Texas – The Texas Department of Transportation is working around the clock treating roadways as temperatures plummet in the Austin area.

The agency is also offering assistance at no cost to stranded drivers through its “HERO program.”

“Our crews have been out there laying saltwater mixture, which is known as brine, and also a granular substance. That’s a magnesium chloride,” says TxDOT spokesperson Antonio Lujan. 

TxDOT says employees are placing the brine on major highways in Austin and in surrounding areas.

“This includes I-35, SH 71, U.S. 183, 290 East going towards Manor and then towards Dripping Springs. Some of those smaller rural roads may not have brine or that granular substance in them,” says Lujan.

Temperatures reached below 40 degrees in Central Texas on Wednesday. Austin Mayor Kirk Watson addressed the public in a press conference on weather conditions and how the city is working to keep residents safe in their homes and on the streets.

“Keeping roads safe, keeping them as safe as possible, and continuing and continuing to deliver the critical services that our community depends on,” said Mayor Watson.

TxDOT says this means staying off the roads.

“Just because they’re drivable and treated does not mean passable. Because remember that depending on how low the temperatures do get, there might be some instances where you might have some ice accumulation,” says Lujan.

In the case a driver needs assistance on the roadways, TxDOT’S HERO program does offer several services in the Austin area.

“If you are broken down on the side of the road, we can help you out by changing your tire, jump-starting your car, pushing you off the road, getting you some gas. Our emergency first responders cover for them so they can do their job,” said a HERO PM Lead Operator.

“They’re out there monitoring our roads as we speak. They’re going to be out there working longer hours during the next couple of days to ensure that we are helping anyone who’s out there stranded. And the good thing about hero is that it’s at no cost,” Lujan

TxDOT says they plan to work around the clock until weather conditions return to normal.

For the HERO program or assistance, you can dial 512-974-HERO.

AUSTIN, Texas – Emergency management teams at the state operations center in north Austin were busy tracking the winter weather that was moving into Texas. 

Governor Greg Abbott was briefed on the storm prep followed by this assessment.

“It looks like we’re ready to go,” said Gov. Abbott.

Images of all the snow that has fallen across the mid-west are not being ignored. Isolated power outages in Texas are possible, but the grid is expected to hold, according to Pablo Vegas, the head ERCOT.

“As a point of reference, we have added more than 10,000MW of new generation just this year since last winter. And so we’ve got more supply on the grid than we ever have had before. And we’ve been coordinating very closely with all the power generators and the transmission distribution utility companies over the last week in preparation for this upcoming weather event,” said Vegas.

Statewide, more than 300 warming centers were open as of Wednesday, Jan. 8, according to Governor Abbott.

“Resources are staged across areas of concern. Responders are stocked with water, ready to eat meals and blankets and are prepared to transport stranded motorists to nearby warming stations,” said Abbott. 

For the past several days, more than 2,000 TxDOT crews have been pre-treating major roadways. The agency is now in the process of transitioning into road clearing.

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“We do have more plows. We have more equipment. We have them staged across the state more strategically. And they’re all staged and ready to go for this event,” said Brian Barth, TxDOT deputy executive director.

Road crews from South Texas, according to Barth, have also been moved to north Texas to provide extra manpower.

“We have all of our resources focused from the I-10/20 split, running up I-20 all the way up through Texarkana, because that’s where the current forecast shows our biggest threat,” said TDEM Chief Nim Kidd. 

The wintry mix will hit as college football fans head to Dallas for Friday’s playoff game between the Longhorns and Ohio State. Roads around the AT&T stadium are expected to be open, although the governor said drivers need to be aware of possible slick spots.

“There should be no hindrance to people being able to attend the game. Obviously, with potential snow or icing conditions in the DFW area, on I-35, on I-20, on all the different interstates or roadways that lead to the Dallas-Fort Worth area is incredibly important that everybody drives extra safe. If you’re very cautious and slow and methodical in your driving, everything’s going to be just fine,” said Gov. Abbott.

Central and south Texas may not get iced in, but Governor Abbott indicated residents in those parts of Texas should also be weather-wise. 

There is a concern that the rain in those regions could cause isolated flooding.  A warning was also issued about misusing heaters and power generators. Cases of carbon monoxide poisoning and fires can increase during winter events.