KYTC District 9 Weather Response Update 4:30 PM: Conditions Improve as Crews Work to Clear Roads
Many still impassable with downed trees, power lines
FLEMINGSBURG, Ky. (4:30 PM, Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2021) – Road conditions in northeast Kentucky have improved this afternoon - particularly in areas where mostly sleet or snow fell overnight - but many roads remain impassable in Elliott, southern Rowan, Carter, and Boyd counties where ice brought down trees and power lines.
At 4:30 p.m., main priority A highways such as I-64, US 23, AA Highway, US 68 and others have mostly clear travel lanes with occasional slush. Conditions vary greatly county to county as crews work all routes and back roads that are reported mostly to partly covered with snow and ice. Air temperatures average 15-20 degrees, with pavement 30 degrees.
Slick conditions remain likely on all roads, especially with arctic temps expected overnight. Motorists are advised to restrict travel unless absolutely necessary.
Here's a county-by-county look at conditions in northeast Kentucky:
- Bath County: All routes have been plowed. I-64 has the slow lane clear and fast lane partly clear. All roads open, but covered or partly covered. Air 19 degrees.
- Boyd County: Main routes, I-64, KY 180 to US 60, US 60 to downtown Ashland, US 23, and Ohio River bridges mostly clear lanes. KY 5 and KY 3 now open, with mostly to partly covered lanes. KY 854, KY 757, KY 752, KY 1134, Boy Scout Road, and others remain blocked by downed trees and power lines. Widespread power outages. Air, pavement 21 degrees.
- Carter County: I-64, AA Highway mostly clear travel lanes with some slush. KY 7 to Elliott County and US 60 from Olive Hill to Rowan County passable, but mostly to partly covered. US 60 east toward Boyd County and other routes blocked by downed trees, power lines. Air 17 degrees.
- Elliott County: Roads covered, and KY 7 and KY 32 is passable. Most other routes assumed closed by downed by trees and power lines. Air 18 degrees.
- Fleming County: Main routes are partly clear. Other routes are mostly covered. Air 18 degrees.
- Greenup County: Main routes like US 23 clear to partly covered. Others mostly covered. Air 18 degrees.
- Lewis County: Routes partly covered to mostly covered. Air 18 degrees.
Mason County: Main routes like US 68 mostly clear to partly covered. Other routes mostly covered. Air 18 degrees.
- Nicholas County: Main routes are mostly clear. Other routes are mostly covered. Air 18 degrees.
- Rowan County: I-64 mostly clear, main routes partly covered. Other routes mostly covered. KY 1167 blocked with trees and power lines down. KY 3318 blocked with trees down. Air 18 degrees.
Motorists and residents should be aware that while crews in all counties will remain on 12-hour, rotating shifts clearing roads through the week, the large amount of downed trees and the additional snow expected Wednesday night will hamper efforts. And, low temperatures - particularly in the teens or single digits - will reduce salt effectiveness. Snow cover on roads could remain for several days.
ONLINE INFORMATION
For real-time traffic information, to view traffic cams, or to keep up with state snowfighters in your county, visit http://GoKY.ky.gov.
During winter storms, Kentucky Department of Highways snow plow crews work 12-hour shifts to keep highways passable using a priority route system based on traffic volume and connectivity to hospitals and other critical services. Crews focus first on high-priority routes such as interstates and critical roadways, then heavily traveled state routes before turning to lower-volume routes. Snow priority maps for each county can be viewed online at http://SnowKY.ky.gov.
Follow District 9 updates on Twitter and Facebook at http://twitter.com/KYTCDistrict9 or http://facebook.com/KYTCDistrict9.
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