MDOT prepares South Mississippi roads for icy conditions

On Monday, the Mississippi Department of Transportation was out in full force ahead of potential winter weather across South Mississippi, in which we could see ice and snow on the roads.

WXXV followed alongside MDOT crews who worked around the clock as they sprayed salt brine on state interstates and highways, with the main area of concern being overpasses and bridges.

Due to to their elevation, bridges are prone to freezing before roads, creating extremely dangerous driving conditions. The salt brine used by MDOT helps to lower the freezing point of precipitation, and it was was sprayed east and westbound along 1-10 as well as north and south on 1-110.

MDOT crews worked all day Monday to make sure roads could be as safe as possible for South Mississippi, encouraging drivers to stay off the roads Tuesday if possible.

“I’m playing it safe, staying home. My office gave us a couple of days at home for work. Tomorrow is a weather emergency , Wednesday is a work from home day, so I’m staying off the road. I’m thankful that MDOT is out there in this this, because it’s cold out here,” said Gulfport resident Alicia Wilson.

MDOT currently has 17 snowplows stationed in the Southeastern Mississippi region, and an additional 60 MDOT members from other parts of the state here to assist with the weather conditions.

If icy conditions do occur on Tuesday, MDOT will be back on the roads spraying rock salt to melt ice patches.