KYTC District 7 Personnel Intensify Snow Removal Efforts Amid Extreme Cold

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) has announced that its District 7 team is actively engaged in snow removal operations across all 12 counties within the district. This intensified effort comes as the region braces for extremely low temperatures in the coming days, with daytime temperatures forecasted to hover between 10 and 20 degrees, and night temperatures plunging into single digits.

The KYTC highlights the risk of deteriorating road conditions due to the combination of falling temperatures and residual moisture on roadways. This scenario is particularly conducive to the formation of black ice on treated asphalt and concrete surfaces, as well as on bridges, overpasses, and ramps, which are known to freeze before ground-level roads.

In light of these conditions, the KYTC is focusing its resources on plowing and treating routes to ensure the safety and mobility of the public. The urgency of these measures is underscored by the forecast from the National Weather Service, which predicts continued cold weather in the region.

The extreme cold poses significant health risks, particularly in terms of cold stress. Exposure to low temperatures causes narrowing of blood vessels in the skin, arms, and legs, which, while helping to keep vital organs warm, reduces blood flow to extremities and increases the risk of frostbite and hypothermia. The danger is exacerbated by wind chill, with the National Weather Service cautioning that at –30°C, skin can freeze in as little as 30 seconds with 48 km/h winds.

To combat these risks, KYTC advises individuals to wear appropriate clothing for the weather, including layers to retain heat, and to stay dry while working. Other recommendations include scheduling work during warmer parts of the day, taking breaks in warm areas, and working in pairs to better recognize cold-related hazards. Additional information on dealing with cold stress can be found on the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) website.

District 7, which includes Anderson, Bourbon, Boyle, Clark, Fayette, Garrard, Jessamine, Madison, Mercer, Montgomery, Scott, and Woodford Counties, is at the forefront of these efforts. The KYTC also encourages the public to stay informed about traffic conditions through GoKY or the Waze app on smartphones.

The ongoing snow removal and road treatment operations by the KYTC District 7 team are crucial in ensuring the safety and well-being of the residents in these counties, as the region navigates through this period of extreme cold weather.