LUFKIN – TxDOT crews in the nine-county Lufkin District will begin pre-treatment operations and shift work on Friday ahead of a winter weather event expected late Sunday.

A meeting was held Wednesday morning to plan emergency operations and responses. Crews will begin placing a brine mixture on major roadways, overpasses, and bridges Friday ahead of the predicted winter weather. Crews will re-treat on Saturday and/or Sunday if needed.

If freezing precipitation occurs, crews will begin monitoring and inspecting roadways and bridges and re-treat with brine, if necessary. Should the roadways need to be cleared of winter precipitation, equipment will be staged for quicker response times in local areas. Tier I roadways will be treated and monitored. Those roadways include US 59 and US 259. Bridges and overpasses throughout the district will also be treated, including those on US 69, US 190, US 84, US 287, US 259, SH 94, SH 103, SH 7, SH 21, and others throughout the district.

“While we know how unpredictable East Texas weather can be, TxDOT plans to be prepared and respond appropriately should we see extreme winter weather,” said Rhonda Oaks, public information officer. “We ask that motorists slow down and give our crews room to work should they encounter TxDOT vehicles and workers preparing the roadways.”

Brine operations is a moving work zone. Motorists should obey all traffic controls in place, not try to pass a TxDOT moving convoy placing brine and stay alert for the possibility of crews working near the roadways during this time.

For more information, contact Rhonda.Oaks@txdot.gov or call (936) 633-4395.