Southeastern Colorado Road Conditions 12-22-11
VPG | Dec 22, 2011 | Comments 0
CDOT remains on snowshift throughout southeastern Colorado, with remaining on 12-hour shifts during the storm and will remain on snow shift after the storm passes for storm cleanup.
All highways in southeastern Colorado remain open.
Interstate 25 continues to be snowpacked and icy in many areas between the New Mexico state line and the south end of the Denver Area.
In Colorado Springs, 45 trucks are out clearing and deicing the state highways. However, snow continues to fall and winter driving conditions can be expected through the day. The heaviest areas of snowfall in the Pikes Peak Region are Monument Hill and Teller County
It’s still windy but not as windy as earlier. Still, visibility still remains low in many areas.
In the Pueblo/Canon City/Colorado City area, 35 trucks are clearing and deicing the highways. However, they remain snowpacked and icy in many areas. The snow and wind have subsided since earlier today.
In the Trinidad/Walsenburg area, 16 trucks are clearing and treating the highways. All highways are open. Snow totals are less than points north – about six inches reported. Wind is minimal in this area.
Highways in the Lamar/Springfield/La Junta area are reported snowpacked and icy. 17 trucks are plowing the treating the roadways.
If you don’t need to travel today, you’re asked to please wait to travel until road and weather conditions improve.
However, if you must travel, please slow down, use caution and be prepared for adverse weather. That means:
- Always keeping the top half of your gas tank full. It can give you better traction and gives you a bigger margin of error if you get stuck and have to keep the engine running periodically to keep warm.
- If you are stuck in a serious storm, do not leave your car. Run the engine periodically and wait for help. Make sure the tailpipe is clear of snow and ice.
- Carrying blankets, water, a flashlight, a shovel, some nutrition bars or other food for sustenance. Winterize your vehicle’s safety kit by including extra blankets, sand to help gain traction in the event you become stuck on ice or snow, jumper cables, an ice scraper and lock de-icer.
- Not passing plow trucks on the right. Also, a plow blade may be extended, making it unsafe. Drive slowly and let the plow clear the road for you.
- Always keeping the top half of your gas tank full. It can give you better traction and gives you a bigger margin of error if you get stuck and have to keep the engine running periodically to keep warm.
- Remembering 4-wheel drive does not mean 4-wheel stop. A 4-wheel drive vehicle will not stop any better in icy conditions, especially if you have inadequate snow tires.
- Being sure of your route. Don’t go exploring in the back-country without some local knowledge, especially during a storm or when one is bearing down anywhere near your location.
- Being sure you have good tires. The Colorado State Patrol recommends at least 1/8 of an inch tread depth. Chain restrictions in Colorado are most often put into effect for commercial vehicles (semi-trailer trucks) and do not usually affect passenger vehicles.
- When visibility is poor or there are whiteout conditions, not driving faster than conditions allow. High speeds can lead to chain reaction accidents. Also remember you can’t see around mountain curves and corners either.
- Conducting a pre-trip vehicle inspection, leaving extra space between your automobile and others on the road, and never drinking and driving. And, of course, always buckling up!
Drivers can access current information on road and weather conditions by viewing the www.cotrip.org Web site or by calling 511. Up-to-date information also is available by subscribing for e-mail or text messages. Sign up by visiting www.coloradodot.info, clicking the cell-phone icon in the upper right corner and checking geographic areas of interest. It is free of charge but standard text message rates do apply. Drivers also can log onto CDOT’s Winter Driving web page at: www.coloradodot.info/travel/winter-driving for additional information.
Bob Wilson
Public Relations Manager – Colorado Department of Transportation
Filed Under: community • Public Safety • Transportation • Weather
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