Winter Weather News
The Georgia Department of Transportation is ready to handle any winter weather conditions that impact our state highway system. Please continue to visit this page for updated information on road conditions and road closures in your area.
Real-Time Travel Conditions
For free real-time traffic and travel information or to request assistance 24 hours a day, dial 5-1-1. Please visit the 511 web site for more information.
Note: The Department will work with law enforcement in the event there is a need to close key intersections for a period of time.
Snow and Ice Removal Priorities
- Georgia DOT’s first priority is the Interstate Highway System. Interstates are national defense and evacuation routes and, by law, must be kept open for traffic.
- Georgia DOT’s second priority are the heavily used multiple-lane state freeway routes.
- Third priority are two lane state routes.
Winter Weather Preparedness
Georgia DOT is prepared and equipped to ensure the safety of our roadways.
Staging
- Transportation Management Center will be operational at 5 pm, February 9th.
- Snow shifts will begin at 6 pm, February 9th in the metro area and the northern region of the state.
- Daytime crews will work throughout the day preparing equipment.
- Crews will stage salt trucks at key intersections and elevated structures to address possible freezing on the roadway.
Resources
- Georgia DOT crews will be staggered to always have resources and materials on the roadway.
- Middle Georgia Districts (2&3) will be moving resources to manage the southern section of the metro area - south of I-20.
- Local governments are allowed to commit resources to state routes within their jurisdictions to safely move snow and ice.
General Preparedness
- Georgia DOT maintains a staging area in most counties. These county maintenance buildings each stockpile salt, fine gravel, fuel and any supplies needed for emergencies.
- Georgia DOT will bring in crews and equipment from other regions to help with a particularly hard-hit area whenever necessary.
- The Georgia DOT’s Highway Emergency Response Operators (HEROs) will be monitoring traffic along I-85, I-75, I-20 and I-285 in the metro Atlanta area in order to assist motorists with car trouble or to help clear accidents and stalls from the roadway.
- In the metro Atlanta area, the traffic operators at the Transportation Management Center in southeast Atlanta constantly monitor the traffic cameras along the interstates looking for signs that roads are icing up and relay those locations to the maintenance office.
- Communications personnel across the state will be at the Transportation Management Center and the district offices to provide constant updates to the media.
- We monitor all local weather reports on television and radio, in addition to receiving regularly updated weather information from national sources.
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Statewide Contacts
- David Spear, Press Secretary
- (404) 631-1931
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- Jill Goldberg, Deputy Press Secretary
- (404) 631-1828
Regional Contacts
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You Are Welcome...
Press Releases
Comments from Motorists
I don't know who had the responsibility for clearing I-985 during this horrible snow and ice storm that we have experienced but they did a tremendous job. It is beautiful. I had a hard time getting to I-985 but once I got there it was incredibly good. Thanks.
- J. Hensley, Hall County
I just want to say that I think GA DOT personnel have done a stellar job of dealing with the recent snow/ice conditions. Congratulations on a job VERY WELL DONE.
- J. Burack, Bartow County
YOU GUYS ROCK!!! You have been working so hard this week to keep the roads safe for the citizens of this area. THANK YOU!! Thank you for all the hard work and long hours. There are A LOT of people who are very glad you are here to help and who understand this storm was very different from anything the area has encountered before. Keep up the spirit and the great job!
- C. Erdos
I think you all have done a great job. With the limited resources you have at your disposal, you've done a super job. Don't let the complainers get you down. Thanks for working late, working hard and being out in the cold when you would've preferred being in a warm home with your family.
- H. Schoeman, DeKalb County
Just wanted to say thank you on keeping the roads through Rome, GA clear of ice and snow. You are doing an excellent job!!! Keep up the good work.
- A. Mayberry, Floyd County
I'm sitting in my warm home watching TV and wanted to thank you and your team for ALL of your efforts. I know you are busy and I don’t want to take up your time. But I know everybody like compliments much better than negative comments. THANK YOU!
- L. Autry, Cherokee
This is to all of you great people out there trying so hard to make and keep our roads safe during this crisis - THANK YOU!
I've been watching the news all through it and I think you've done a marvelous job especially considering all the know-it-alls who proceeded to get in your way. (No, I haven't be[en] out on the roads - you told everyone that it was too dangerous and I believe you as you would know the roads better than anyone.)
- K. Park
Wanted to thank you for your diligence and perseverance during the recent icy conditions. While I stayed home and inside your people were working very hard in extreme cold and trying conditions. I hope my prayers for your safety and well being were answered. I understand it's your job, my son is 3rd generation firefighter, but none the less, I am grateful for you and the pride and care you took of your work.
- C. Richardson, Coweta County
Wanted to thank you for your diligence and perseverance during the recent icy conditions. While I stayed home and inside your people were working very hard in extreme cold and trying conditions. I hope my prayers for your safety and well being were answered. I understand it's your job, my son is 3rd generation firefighter, but none the less, I am grateful for you and the pride and care you took of your work.
- M. Davis, Dawson County
Audio
Listen to the comments from Linda Clopein
The Equipment
- Tandem trucks and dump trucks with snowplows attached to the front to push the snow and ice from the roadways.
- Tandem trucks and dump trucks with hopper spreaders or tailgate spreaders attached to the rear to distribute the salt mixture used for de-icing the roads.
- Tandem trucks or dump trucks with both salt/rock spreaders and snowplows attached.
- Tractor type motor graders for moving snow.
- Chainsaws for removing trees and branches from the roadway.
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