Georgia DOT prepares for winter weather

FOREST PARK, Ga. - Crews hit the road Sunday to pre-treat North Georgia's major highways ahead of Monday's possible winter weather and they continued putting down brine through the night.  

"We can't react after the storm gets here," said Natalie Dale, spokeswoman for the Georgia Department of Transportation.  "Pre-treatment by nature has to be done before the storm comes in.  We're even getting a second coat down tonight as sort of a security blanket if you will." 

The forecast calls for possible freezing rain for much of the metro Atlanta area early Monday morning. To help prevent the roads from freezing over, GDOT uses a saltwater brine mixture, which helps lower the freezing point of any precipitation to keep ice from binding to the pavement.

Many schools and governments have canceled operations Monday and GDOT officials encourage anyone who does not have to be on the roads to stay home. That advice is even more critical ahead of Monday's College Football Playoff National Championship game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, which Donald Trump plans to attend.  

"We've got Alabama and Georgia both bringing their whole fan bases and all the cars that go with them in addition to a winter weather system that we're not exactly sure what it's going to do in addition to a presidential motorcade. So, again, if you can stay off the road tomorrow, it's for your patience.  It's for your sanity," Dale explained