State Transportation Crews Prepared To Keep Kentucky Moving Safely Again This Winter
Schools in ‘Paint the Plow’ program add safety messages to plow blades
FRANKFORT, Ky. – State officials and members of Team Kentucky’s Transportation Cabinet held an event today at a Kenton County maintenance facility to mark the beginning of snow and ice season in the transportation world. With winter weather on the horizon, officials discussed preparation efforts and provided traveler tips to ensure safety for motorists. High school students have partnered with the cabinet, too, by participating in the second annual statewide “Paint the Plow” program to promote a safe driving message featuring original artwork on select plow blades used to clear state-maintained roadways in communities. Crews and support staff are ready to resume their “snow fighter” role to once again keep Kentucky moving safely this winter. With plow trucks prepped and gear checked, crews remind all drivers to remain alert for wintry weather.
“Keeping everyone safe is a high priority of Team Kentucky and our administration,” said Gov. Andy Beshear. “Our dedicated transportation crew members and staff are prepped to do their best to maintain traffic on the roads once winter weather strikes. Kentucky drivers are key to the safety mission this winter and can help out by prepping now to ensure the wellbeing of every traveler in every corner of our state.”
Part of preparing for winter weather involves adequate supplies, and the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) has a plentiful inventory of snow-fighting materials and equipment. Crews are restocked with:
Over 1 million gallons of brine (salt-water mixture)
1.1 million gallons of calcium chloride (added to salt)
369,000 tons of salt
Across all 120 Kentucky counties, more than 1,400 plow trucks are on deck and more than 2,300 staff and crew members are trained and prepped to keep travelers moving safely.
“Safety on our roadways is a team effort between state crews and the public,” said KYTC Secretary Jim Gray. “Our road crews brave the elements to treat and clear roads, and motorists can do their part by slowing down and giving our folks plenty of room to operate.”
Travelers are strongly encouraged to prepare an emergency kit now to keep in their vehicles with essentials to stay safe if stranded during a winter event.
KYTC uses a four-tier system to prioritize treatment and snow clearing on state-maintained routes. Route designations are based on factors such as traffic volume and connectivity to critical services like hospitals.
During routine snow and ice events, crews operate using snow and ice priority route maps for maximum equipment and materials usage efficiency. The cabinet has established a snow emergency plan for severe winter storm events to deploy resources within each county to cover the highest priority routes.
“KSP is grateful for the road crews and plow truck operators who brave dangerous conditions to ensure safer roadways for Kentuckians and the first responders who provide emergency services during winter weather,” said Sgt. Matt Sudduth of the Kentucky State Police. “We encourage motorists to prioritize safety on the roads, adjust driving behavior to the weather and road conditions and move over when passing first responders so they have room to do their work safely while serving and protecting our commonwealth.”
Kentucky’s fleet of snow-clearing vehicles includes 12 tow plows in different parts of the state. Tow plows have a trailer-mounted rear plow that swings out, like a jackknife. It allows one driver to clear two driving lanes in one pass. Two of the plows are housed in Frankfort for deployment wherever severe weather creates a need for increased support on wide, high-priority routes. Ten others are based in Christian, Graves, Grayson, Hardin, Henderson, Lyon and McCracken counties.
KYTC maintains most roads, streets and bridges that are part of the State Highway System, including interstates, parkways and U.S. routes.
Annual “Paint the Plow” Participants
KYTC launched its second statewide “Paint the Plow” program this year, which was open to participants from any Kentucky high school. A total of 38 schools across the state participated, each painting a plow blade from their local Department of Highways district office.
“As you practice safe winter driving habits you may notice some of our plow blades painted with themes of school pride, winter weather and safe driving messages,” said Secretary Gray. “Some very talented high schoolers have dedicated a lot of time and effort into hand-painting their designs, and the impressive results are on display in communities across the Commonwealth.”
Driver Tips This Winter Season
Safe roadways are a shared responsibility, especially during inclement weather when risks increase. Motorists should prepare for winter and remain safe by following these tips:
Travel only when necessary during major snow events.
Stock vehicles with ice scrapers, jumper cables, blankets, a flashlight, a cell phone charger, non-perishable snacks and a first aid kit in case you get stranded on the road.
Winterize your vehicle. Check your car battery, tire pressure and brakes. Ensure your heater, defroster, headlights and windshield wipers are working properly.
When snow and/or ice are on roadways, drive slowly, no matter what type of vehicle you drive. It takes more time and distance to stop your vehicle in poor weather, so brake early and slowly.
Pay attention to weather advisories and allow more time for travel on routine commutes.
Slow down when approaching intersections, off-ramps, bridges or shaded areas. These are all places susceptible to black ice – a thin coating of hard-to-see clear ice that can form on the pavement surface.
Maintain a safe distance from snowplows and other heavy highway equipment, and do not pass snowplows on the shoulder.
Know before you go. Download the free WAZE app or visit goky.ky.gov to check traffic conditions before you travel. The map also offers access to select traffic cameras on interstates and parkways.
Buckle up! Phone down! Eliminate distractions while driving.
Visit snowky.ky.gov for snow and ice resources, like priority route maps, tips and highway district updates.