01/08/13 As of 3:45 p.m. Eastern time INDOT has made progress plowing snow-covered roads in Northwest Indiana, but extremely hazardous icy conditions remain, and conditions may worsen overnight.
Throughout the day INDOT crews have been successful clearing snow that forced traffic onto narrow driving lanes, due to blowing and drifting. In addition, many roads that had narrowed traffic to one lane by heavy snow are now cleared to two lanes. The majority of roads are now passable across Northwest Indiana.
But, as INDOT has stressed throughout this winter storm, road salt is less effective in these subzero temperatures, and sheet of ice should be expected on all roads across Northwest Indiana. These conditions may get worse overnight when any thawing and melting that had occurred during the day, refreezes. These icy conditions likely won’t improve until later in the day tomorrow, when temperatures are expected to become more favorable for chemical melting agents and plows.
INDOT is asking the public to refrain from any non-emergency travel through tomorrow. Those who must travel are asked to be prepared for these conditions before leaving and to adjust driving behaviors in order to arrive at destinations safely. Take it slow, while leaving plenty of room between vehicles, and give our plows plenty of room to work.
Drivers in Northwest Indiana can monitor road closures, road conditions, and traffic alerts at any time via the District’s social media channels: www.Facebook.com/INDOTNorthwest or Twitter @INDOTNorthwest. Or visit http://www.trafficwise.in.gov for INDOT’s TrafficWise Traveler Information Service.
