State ‘Snowfighters’ in Northeast Kentucky Ready for Winter Weather Season
Snow plows prepped, salt and other ice-busting materials stocked
FLEMINGSBURG, Ky. (Nov. 11, 2022) – State snowfighters have a message for Mother Nature as the season’s first wintry weather advances on northeast Kentucky – we’re ready!
Highway technicians in Kentucky Department of Highways District 9, who maintain more than 2,000 miles of state roads in Bath, Boyd, Carter, Elliott, Fleming, Greenup, Lewis, Mason, Nicholas and Rowan counties, have stockpiled all their salt, prepped all their snow plows, and just last month completed their final training for winter weather duty.
“Snow removal is a top priority of the Transportation Cabinet, and we have a team of professionals ready to tackle that job when the first flakes fly,” said Steve Gunnell, chief district engineer. “They have the right equipment, the right resources, and are always prepared to keep motorists moving on Kentucky’s roadways.”
The right equipment includes more than 75 snow plows, brine application tankers, and other snow-fighting machines. And, the right resources include tens of thousands of tons of salt, brine, and other ice-busting materials stockpiled in each of the district’s 10 counties.
Weather-watching supervisory teams are now on duty and will call out snow plow and salt truck crews as needed throughout Kentucky’s fall, winter, and early spring snow season.
When snowstorms hit, crews will be assigned 12-hour shifts to plow and treat state highways on a priority basis – part of the Cabinet’s mission to keep traffic moving in a safe manner with an emphasis on maintaining mobility along critical corridors.
Priority A routes include critical state routes and those most heavily traveled such as interstates or roads to hospitals, which receive the highest priority for snow-clearing efforts. Priority B and C routes include other important, but lesser-traveled state routes.
The Cabinet’s snow and ice information website, SnowKY.ky.gov, provides public information such as snowfighting status updates, winter driving tips, fact sheets, and videos on the snow removal process.
In addition, the public can monitor winter operations in real time on the state’s interactive traffic system – GoKY.ky.gov or via the Waze app – to find out what’s happening in each county.
Statewide, nearly 2,000 men and women serve on the frontlines and behind the scenes of the Cabinet’s snow and ice removal efforts. The Cabinet is equipped with several hundred thousand tons of salt, as well as adequate supplies of brine and calcium chloride, and more than 1,000 deployable trucks and plows among the 125 snow and ice maintenance locations. More than 400 more contracted trucks are available to assist in snow and ice operations.
PUBLIC PREPARATION
As a motorist, you can also prepare for winter and remain safe throughout snow season by following these tips:
- Pay attention to weather advisories. Weather will impact travel on some level, so prepare for a slower commute.
- Travel only as necessary during major snow events. It’s better to be stuck at home than to be stuck on the road.
- Maintain a safe braking distance from other vehicles; and keep your distance from snowplows.
- Do not pass snowplows on the shoulder.
- Winterize vehicles. Stock vehicles with blankets, flashlight, and an emergency supply kit.
- Know before you go. Visit goky.ky.gov and download the free Waze app to check traffic conditions before you travel.
- Eliminate distractions (e.g. using phone and eating) while driving.
- Always wear your seatbelt. It’s the law, and it’s the best defense in weather-related crashes.
- Cooperate with the expectations of the Quick Clearance law, which requires drivers to move vehicles to the shoulder in the event of a non-injury crash.
KYTC HIGHWAY DISTRICT 9 SNOW REMOVAL PRIORITY ROUTES
Snow removal efforts start with Priority A routes and proceed to B and C routes as quickly as storm intensity allows. During major storms, it could be many hours before lower-priority routes are plowed, so know your route and plan travel accordingly.
Bath County: Priority A routes include I-64, US 60, KY 11 and KY 36. Priority B routes are KY 111, KY 211, and KY 1325. All other routes, such as KY 965, KY 1198, KY 1944, KY 3290, etc., are Priority C.
Boyd County: Priority A routes include I-64, US 60, US 23, KY 67 (Industrial Parkway), KY 180, and the Ashland and Kenova bridges. Priority B routes are KY 3, KY 5, KY 168; KY 716, KY 766, KY 1134, KY 1012, KY 1458, KY 3293, KY 3292, and KY 854 in the Summit and Ashland areas; KY 538, KY 3294, and KY 3291 near Cannonsburg and Catlettsburg; and KY 854 through Rush and Garner. Other routes, including KY 752, KY 757, KY 773, KY 966, and KY 1937 in southern Boyd County, are Priority C.
Carter County: Priority A routes include I-64, US 60, KY 9 (AA Highway), KY 7 south of Grayson, KY 1 at and north of Grayson, KY 2 at Olive Hill, and KY 67 (Industrial Parkway). Priority B routes include KY 1 south of Grayson, KY 174, and KY 2 and KY 7 through Carter City. Other routes, such as KY 182, KY 986, KY 773, KY 207, etc., are Priority C.
Elliott County: Priority A routes include KY 7, and KY 173. Priority B routes are KY 32, KY 486, KY 702, and KY 504. Other routes, including KY 706, KY 556, KY 557, KY 755, and the rest, are Priority C.
Fleming County: Priority A routes include US 68, KY 11, KY 32, KY 57 north of Flemingsburg, the Flemingsburg Bypass, and KY 165. Priority B routes are KY 32X, KY 170, KY 111, KY 559, KY 344, and KY 1902. Other routes, such as KY 597, KY 158, KY 1013, KY 156, KY 1325, KY 697, etc., are Priority C.
Greenup County: Priority A routes include US 23, KY 1, KY 8, KY 10 (AA Highway), KY 67, KY 827, and KY 693. Priority B routes are KY 2, KY 7, KY 5, KY 827, KY 503, and KY 1458. Priority C routes include KY 244, KY 784, KY 207, KY 750, KY 2541, KY 3105, and all others.
Lewis County: Priority A routes include KY 9 and KY 10 (AA Highway), KY 8 at Vanceburg and east, KY 59, and KY 57 south of Tollesboro. Priority B routes are KY 57 north of Tollesboro, KY 10 at Tollesboro, KY 344, KY 559, KY 377, KY 2523 at the schools, and KY 3020 (parkway). Other routes, such as KY 989, KY 984, KY 8 west of Vanceburg, etc., are Priority C.
Mason County: Priority A routes include US 68 and US 68X, KY 8, KY 9 (AA Highway), KY 10, KY 11, KY 2513, KY 2516, and the Harsha bridge. Priority B routes are US 62, KY 324, KY 1448, KY 1236, KY 2515, KY 3161, KY 1237, KY 3056, and KY 3170. All other routes, including KY 1234 and KY 3313, KY 1449, KY 596, KY 1235 and KY 435, are Priority C.
Nicholas County: Priority A routes include US 68, KY 36, and KY 1455. Priority B routes are KY 32, and KY 13. Priority C routes include KY 57, KY 1244, KY 1285, KY 3316, and all others.
Rowan County: Priority A routes include I-64, US 60, KY 519, KY 32, and KY 173. Priority B routes are KY 174, KY 377, KY 801, KY 158, and KY 1274. All other routes, such as KY 1167, KY 799, etc., are Priority C.
Visit KYTC online at https://maps.kytc.ky.gov/snowandicepriorityroutes/ for an interactive map of priority routes statewide.
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