WILMINGTON — N.C. Department of
Transportation crews, supplemented by crews and equipment form across the state,
continue their work on removing ice from the roads today in Division 3 that
includes Brunswick, New Hanover, Onslow, Pender, Sampson and Duplin
counties.
Low temperatures are still hampering recovery efforts, especially
in shady areas, where crews have had limited success breaking the ice loose. The
same issue has also resulted in the temporary closing of Wrightsville Beach
Bridge to boating traffic until Monday. Transportation officials anticipate the
warmer temperatures forecasted for Monday to greatly improve conditions.
As of late Sunday afternoon, the interstates in the region are
currently clear with icy spots, however, many primary and secondary roads remain
covered by snow and ice. Primary roads in Brunswick County are now clear, except
for N.C. 133, which remains partially covered with snow and ice. Primary roads
in New Hanover and Onslow counties are also partially covered with snow and ice.
Four-lane divided roads in Pender and Duplin counties are clear with icy spots,
as are most primary roads in Sampson County.
Most secondary roads throughout the region remain covered with snow
and ice. All supporting crews will remain in Division 3 through Monday to assist
with ongoing operations.
NCDOT's first priority is to clear interstates and four-lane divided primary
routes (N.C. and U.S. routes) that are essential to the movement of intrastate
and regional traffic. After these roads are clear, the priority moves to
clearing lower-volume primary roads, high-volume secondary roads, lower-volume
secondary roads and then subdivision streets.
In the meantime, transportation officials urge drivers to avoid
travel if possible. Those who must travel are urged to slow down and leave extra
space between their vehicle and the vehicle in front of them to lessen the
chance of a collision. Travel at night is especially dangerous due to the
combination of even lower temperatures and decreased visibility.
In addition, drivers who encounter NCDOT road clearing crews and
their equipment should leave plenty of distance to allow crews to spread salt
and safely plow the road.
Drivers can check www.DriveNC.gov to get travel updates, which are also available on
the NCDOT twitter
accounts.