“We are prepared” — SCDOT crews ready roads for snowfall

COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO) –Several inches of snowfall are expected on Saturday as a winter storm makes its way across South Carolina.

Officials with the SC Department of Transportation say they’ve already begun preparing the roads for a wintry mix.

Secretary of Transportation Justin Powell spoke alongside other SCDOT officials at a press conference Thursday afternoon.

“We are prepared. We are actively working to get ready for this storm. We will work through the duration of this storm. And when it is over, we will continue to work until the roads are reopened and clear,” says Powell.

Crews have already begun spreading brine on primary interstates and bridges in anticipation of snowfall and possible ice.

“Make sure if you see a plough out on the road, if you see a brine truck on the road, give us space, let us have the room to do what we need to do to get the traveling public safe and secure for themselves,” says Powell.

According to SCDOT, U.S. Highways are treated next, and secondary and neighborhood roads are treated last.

Powell and other officials ask that folks stay off of the roads if at all possible when snowfall begins, but if you must travel — be sure to have an ice scraper on-hand for your windshield, check your tires and fuel before hitting the road, and use common sense.

“Recognize your braking is gonna be slower and you may need more distance to do it and you may slide in that process but at the end of the day, staying off the roads is the best advice I can give folks when it really starts coming down in terms of snow,” he says.

Over 3,000 SCDOT employees will be utilized beginning Friday, with 24-hour operations.

“We’ve been spending the past several days getting our equipment ready, restocking our salt supplies, making the brine that is needed to go on the roadways that is needed to respond and ultimately recover from this event,” he says.

Be sure to tune in to ABC Columbia News as John, Tyler, and Gerald keep you up-to-date with your latest weather forecast.