Georgia
Georgia DOT treats highways, bridges with brine ahead of dangerous winter storm
The Georgia Department of Transportation is preparing for the extreme cold weather event by treating highways and bridges as counties brace for snow and ice expected to disrupt travel.
When temperatures drop, roads can ice over making driving conditions extremely dangerous.
That’s why the Georgia Department of Transportation spent Sunday protecting roadways by sending 31 bucket trucks out to brine interstates throughout Georgia, including I-95 in Glynn and Camden counties.
Each truck had about 5,000 gallons of brine.
How Southeast Georgia is preparing for dangerous winter storm: County-by-county
Crews began in the early morning hours Sunday and applied brine to more than 6,000 lane miles of interstate alone.
Through Sunday evening and into Monday crews will prioritize pre-treating interstates, state routes, bridges and overpasses in all parts of the state with brine, prioritizing high-traffic routes and those that provide access to hospitals and urgent care centers.
The first shift of crews applied more than 800,000 gallons of brine statewide on Sunday during the day.
Crews changed shifts Sunday evening to continue brining efforts across the state overnight.
Crews will continue to pre-treat roads on Monday provided the road surface temperatures are favorable.
GDOT said brine solution works best when applied before snow and ice accumulate on roadways when temperatures are at 20 degrees Fahrenheit and above, and when conditions are dry.
Georgia DOT remains in close contact with the National Weather Service (NWS) and is receiving regular updates as the storm advances toward Georgia.
A number of factors continue to make this weather event unusual, including the sheer size and scope of this weather system, which is predicted to impact the entire state; the onset and duration of below-freezing temperatures which will arrive early Monday and continue through Thursday, lowering road surface temperatures; and the type and possible accumulation of wintry precipitation.
All of these are considerations being monitored and adjustments are being made accordingly as Georgia DOT implements its response.
Days of frigid temperatures, particularly bitterly cold overnight temperatures, will make it more difficult for Georgia DOT to keep roads clear due to below-freezing road surface temperatures and re-freezing overnight.
“As crews continue to pre-treat roads statewide, give our men and women of GDOT room to work safely for the incoming winter weather. We need time, patience and understanding as our dedicated crews work during this multi-day event,” said GDOT Commissioner, Russell R. McMurry, P.E. “This storm has a large footprint, and we will need time to clear roads once the storm arrives and passes.”
Drivers are urged to plan ahead and limit travel as much as possible beginning mid-day Tuesday.
With some level of snow accumulation currently predicted across north Georgia and throughout a large portion of central Georgia, including the metro Atlanta area, drivers can expect roadway conditions to deteriorate rapidly once precipitation begins to fall.
In spite of pre-treatment, atmospheric and road surface temperatures could cause freezing on the roads.
Avoid driving unless absolutely necessary or postpone until daylight when road conditions may be more visible.
If you must venture out during this time, please drive with extreme caution and give GDOT crews room and space on the roads to help ensure they can safely do their jobs.
Please be aware of the brine trucks and know they must travel 40 mph to properly apply the treatment. Drivers are also advised to stay back at least 100 feet from the rear of the truck and do not pass a Georgia DOT truck spreading salt or gravel, as gravel may kick up and damage vehicles that are following too closely.
Please pay attention and give crews room to work safely from all areas of their vehicle – behind the vehicle and in front of the vehicle.
Black ice warning
Even with the efforts of the crews, freezing temperatures can cause black ice, which is difficult to see.
The U.S. Forest Service suggests these tips in case you run into black ice on the road:
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Do NOT hit the brakes if you slip
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Bring your foot off the accelerator
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Remain calm and turn your steering wheel into the same direction the car is sliding in
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If you go off road try to steer into an empty field, a yard, or blanket of snow.
NEVER turn your wheel in the opposite direction, as this will cause you to spin out.
Also, if you have the option of switching to a lower gear this will allow you to have more control of your car.
Copyright 2025 by WJXT News4JAX – All rights reserved.
ATLANTA – A widespread, soaking rain is heading for North Georgia, with the wettest period expected late Monday night through early Tuesday morning.
What they’re saying:
“This is just some rain,” said FOX 5 Storm Team Chief Meteorologist David Chandley. “We’re not going to see any thunderstorms, not going to see any of that pink and blue on the map that they’re having out there in Arkansas and Missouri. That’s some wintry weather. We’re just gonna get some plain old rain rolling our way.”
The first round of showers will move in overnight, with rain becoming more consistent before sunrise Tuesday.
“Once it rolls in, it’s gonna stick around for a little bit,” Chandley said. “We’re talking about overnight tonight into the early morning hours — that paints a pretty green picture across North Georgia.”
Rain is expected to begin between 9–10 p.m. Monday and mostly move out by 8 a.m. Tuesday.
Heaviest rain south of Atlanta
Local perspective:
While all of north Georgia will see measurable rain, the heaviest totals are expected south of I-20, where some locations could pick up well over an inch.
“The heaviest rain, I think, is going to be down here south of the city,” Chandley said. “That’s where we could pick up well over an inch of rain during the duration of this into early tomorrow morning.”
Even after the steady rain tapers off, the Tuesday morning commute may still be damp. Chandley said clouds will linger and “it’ll take all day for the clouds to begin to break.”
Beneficial rainfall for a dry year
By the numbers:
Most of metro Atlanta is expected to see ½ inch to 1 inch of rain, with higher amounts south of the city.
“This would be beneficial… anywhere from a half, three-quarters of an inch, up to an inch, with an inch plus down on the south side,” Chandley said. “We will take that, thank you very much. We’ve got a six-inch rainfall deficit for the year.”
The Source: Information in this article came from the FOX 5 Storm Team.
Georgia
11 fatal crashes, over 400 DUI arrests across Georgia during Thanksgiving travel period, officials say
Georgia saw a double-digit number of deadly crashes during the busy Thanksgiving travel season, data from the Georgia Department of Public Safety reveals.
According to the department, 11 people died in crashes across the state between the Wednesday before Thanksgiving and Sunday, including one double fatality in Newton County. Georgia State Patrol troopers responded to six of the deadly crashes, while local law enforcement agencies handled the remaining five.
The agency says 498 crashes with 236 injuries were reported during the period. Of those crashes, 48 were associated with driving under the influence, officials said.
The data shows that law enforcement arrested 422 drivers on DUI charges, issued 680 distracted driving citations, and 847 seatbelt citations.
The numbers are slightly lower than in 2024. Last year, DPH said troopers investigated more than 540 traffic crashes across Georgia, which resulted in nearly 265 injuries and 17 fatalities.
AAA predicted that 2.3 million travelers from Georgia would be traveling for Thanksgiving, with the majority of those driving to their holiday destinations. Atlanta was also one of the organization’s top 10 destinations for Thanksgiving for the second year in a row.
ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — A week of lane closures on Georgia 400 begins Monday night as crews work to build new express lanes.
The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) said the closures will affect northbound and southbound lanes along a 16-mile stretch, from MARTA’s North Springs station in Fulton County to around 1 mile north of McFarland Parkway in Forsyth County, from Monday through Friday.
GDOT said the closures will last from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. starting Monday, with some lane closures lasting from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. starting Tuesday.
The department urges drivers to expect delays, use caution and reduce their speed while traveling through work zones.
Below are the details on the closures, according to GDOT:
Georgia 400 Northbound
- SR 400 (Georgia 400) NB from Abernathy Road (MM 8) to Holcomb Bridge Road (MM 15) – Single outside right-lane and shoulder closure – Monday, Dec. 1 to Friday, Dec. 5, 9 p.m. – 5 a.m.
- SR 400 NB from Holcomb Bridge Road (MM 15) to Old Milton Parkway (MM 19) – Single, outside right-lane and shoulder closure – Monday, Dec. 1 to Friday, Dec. 5, 9 p.m. – 5 a.m.
- SR 400 NB from Old Milton Parkway (MM 19) to SR 141 (MM 27) – Single, outside right-lane and shoulder closure – Monday, Dec. 1 to Friday, Dec. 5, 9 p.m. – 5 a.m.
- SR 400 NB from Abernathy Road (MM 8) to Holcomb Bridge Road (MM 15) – Double, inside left-lane and shoulder closure – Monday, Dec. 1 to Friday, Dec. 5, 9 p.m. – 5 a.m.
- SR 400 NB from Holcomb Bridge Road (MM 15) to Old Milton Parkway (MM 19) – Double, inside left-lane and shoulder closure – Monday, Dec. 1 to Friday, Dec. 5, 9 p.m. – 5 a.m.
- SR 400 NB from Old Milton Parkway (MM 19) to SR 141 (MM 27) – Double, inside left-lane and shoulder closure – Monday, Dec. 1 to Friday, Dec. 5, 9 p.m. – 5 a.m.
- SR 400 NB from McGinnis Ferry Road to Big Creek Trail – Outside shoulder closure – Tuesday, Dec. 2 to Friday, Dec. 5, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
- SR 400 NB Northridge Road to Roberts Drive – Outside shoulder closure – Tuesday, Dec. 2 to Friday, Dec. 5, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Georgia 400 Southbound
- SR 400 (Georgia 400) SB from SR 141 (MM 27) to Old Milton Parkway (MM 19) – Single, outside right-lane and shoulder closure – Monday, Dec. 1 to Friday, Dec. 5, 9 p.m. – 5 a.m.
- SR 400 SB from Old Milton Parkway (MM 19) to Holcomb Bridge Road (MM 15) – Single, outside right-lane and shoulder closure – Monday, Dec. 1 to Friday, Dec. 5, 9 p.m. – 5 a.m.
- SR 400 SB from Holcomb Bridge Road (MM 15) to Abernathy Road (MM 8) – Single, outside right-lane and shoulder closure – Monday, Dec. 1 to Friday, Dec. 5, 9 p.m. – 5 a.m.
- SR 400 SB from SR 141 (MM 27) to Old Milton Parkway (MM 19) – Double, inside left-lane and shoulder closure – Monday, Dec. 1 to Friday, Dec. 5, 9 p.m. – 5 a.m.
- SR 400 SB from Old Milton Parkway (MM 19) to Holcomb Bridge Road (MM 15) – Double, inside left-lane and shoulder closure – Monday, Dec. 1 to Friday, Dec. 5, 9 p.m. – 5 a.m.
- SR 400 SB from Holcomb Bridge Road (MM 15) to Abernathy Road (MM 8) – Double, inside left-lane and shoulder closure – Monday, Dec. 1, to Friday, Dec. 5, 9 p.m. – 5 a.m.
Other locations
- Windward Parkway NB Exit – Single, left or right lane closure – Monday, Dec. 1 to Friday, Dec. 5, 9 p.m. – 5 a.m.
- Mansell Road NB Exit – Single, right lane closure – Monday, Dec. 1 to Friday, Dec. 5, 9 p.m. – 5 a.m.
- Roberts Drive – Lane closure – Tuesday, Dec. 2 to Friday, Dec. 5, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
The work schedule could change, so drivers should check the SR 400 Express Lanes website for the latest updates, GDOT said. Drivers can also check updates by calling “511,” visiting 511ga.org, or by downloading the “Georgia511” app.
RELATED COVERAGE:
Tolled express lanes on Ga. 400 become financial ‘reality’ after federal loan
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