Cold Temperatures Hamper Storm Clean-up

Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal

February 12, 2012 4:40 PM

The Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal continues to advise motorists to take extra precautions today, Feb. 12, and into Monday, Feb. 13, due to sections of ice and snow on a number of highways across the province.

Temperatures are predicted to drop to between -15 and -18 C in many areas of the province tonight and into Monday. This will make road salt ineffective until temperatures rise again. Road salt does not work at temperatures below -10 C.

Counties affected most by these conditions will be Cumberland, Colchester, and Pictou counties, although areas of the South Shore, Valley, and western Cape Breton will have similar conditions, especially on secondary roads.

"Department crews have been out in full force and working hard since the beginning of the storm Saturday and early morning Sunday, plowing and salting to clear the ice and snow as quickly as possible from the main provincial highways," said Bruce Fitzner, chief engineer of highway programs. "Crews will change over to sanding highways when the temperature drops below -10 C. They will work around the clock until good driving conditions are restored."

Motorists are advised to allow extra time for travel on Monday and to use caution.

Drivers should listen to local weather reports, call 511 or check the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal highway cameras at
www.gov.ns.ca/tran/cameras before heading out for an update on conditions.


FOR BROADCAST USE:

     The Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal

continues to advise motorists to take extra precautions today

(February 12th) and into Monday (February 13th) due to sections

of ice and snow on a number of highways across the province.

     Temperatures are predicted to drop to between minus 15 and

minus 18 degrees Celsius in many areas of the province tonight

and into Monday. This will make road salt ineffective until

temperatures rise again. Road salt does not work at temperatures

below minus 10 degrees Celsius.

     Counties affected most by these conditions will be

Cumberland, Colchester, and Pictou counties, although areas of

the South Shore, Valley, and western Cape Breton will have

similar conditions, especially on secondary roads.

     Drivers should listen to local weather reports, call 5-1-1

or check the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure

Renewal highway cameras before heading out for an update on

conditions.

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Media Contact: Sue Mckeage
              Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal
              Cell: 902-430-4662
              E-mail: mckeagsm@gov.ns.ca