GDOT activates winter weather response as dangerous ice storm approaches

GDOT preps for incoming ice storm

The Georgia Department of Transportation is shifting to "all hands on deck" as a significant winter storm threatens to blanket North and Central Georgia with dangerous ice. FOX 5's Kim Leoffler has the story.

ATLANTA - The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) is shifting to "all hands on deck" as a significant winter storm threatens to blanket North and Central Georgia with dangerous ice. Officials are urging motorists to stay off the roads, warning that ice can be nearly impossible to manage even with aggressive pretreatment efforts.

A different beast: Battling ice in the South

Big picture view:

Unlike snow, which can be plowed, ice presents a unique challenge for southern infrastructure. To combat this, GDOT crews will apply brine—a salt and water mixture—to interstates and state routes starting Friday night. This pretreatment lowers the freezing point of water to prevent ice from bonding to the pavement.

GDOT has focused its initial efforts on:

• Interstates: High-volume traffic corridors across North Georgia.
• Critical Routes: State routes near hospitals and urgent care centers.
• Priority Regions: North Georgia counties and routes along the I-20 corridor.

Strategic readiness and resources

By the numbers:

Drawing on lessons learned from the 2014 winter storm that left thousands of drivers stranded, GDOT has vastly expanded its material stockpiles.

The department’s metro treatment plan utilizes 12 main tankers, each capable of carrying 7,000 gallons of brine. The solution, a mixture of salt and water, lowers the freezing point of water to prevent ice from binding to the pavement.

• Brine Storage: ~1,950,000 Gallons
• Brine Production: 50,000–60,000 Gallons per Hour
• Employees: Over 1,900 on call
• Equipment: 439 snow removal dump truck units

Prioritizing roadways

Big picture view:

Crews will focus on a "top-down" priority list to keep essential services moving:

• Primary Targets: All lanes of I-285, I-75, I-85, and I-20.
• Secondary Targets: State routes, prioritized by traffic volume and proximity to hospitals.
• Purpose: To ensure emergency personnel, ambulances, and power crews can navigate the region.

Lessons from ‘Snowmageddon’

What they're saying:

"We have about two million gallons right now at any time ready to use," the spokesperson said, noting that while every district statewide now has brine capabilities, these 12 tankers are dedicated specifically to the Atlanta metro area.

The current level of preparation is a direct result of lessons learned from past winter storms. During the infamous "Snowmageddon" events, Georgia lacked a formal brine program.

Since then, the department has overhauled its technology and equipment. "We have learned so much," the spokesperson said. "Whether it’s how we use people, equipment, technology... all of these different things have grown."

Despite the 24-hour operations and massive brine reserves, officials emphasized that the safest place for Georgians is at home. They noted that the most "treacherous" part of any trip may be simply trying to get out of a driveway.

"The one thing that really hasn't changed is the dedication of our employees," the spokesperson said. "They're out there working for the citizens of Georgia. They work incredibly hard. They are incredibly dedicated. So, if you want to say thank you to them, stay off the road, that's the best way to do it."

Motorist assistance and safety

What's next:

Starting Saturday morning, HERO (Highway Emergency Response Operators) units in metro Atlanta and CHAMP (Coordinated Highway Assistance & Maintenance Program) units in rural Georgia will switch to 24-hour patrols. Their primary mission will be identifying crashes and assisting stranded drivers.

Despite these preparations, transportation leaders emphasize that road treatment only goes so far. 

"Do not mistake our preparedness as an invitation for you to be on the road," one official warned, noting that compliance with stay-at-home orders is critical for public safety.