TIFTON – Georgia Department of Transportation crews began brine operations in Southwest Georgia on Sunday morning. It is ahead of what is expected to be an unusual statewide winter weather event.

Southwest Georgia hasn’t experienced snow or ice since 2018’s winter storm, Grayson, but current forecast models show the potential for snow or freezing rain in this area of the state possibly beginning Tuesday into Wednesday.

Local GDOT crews will be working 12-hour shifts for the duration of the event, beginning with application of brine. Depending on weather conditions, the department might delay brine operations.

“We’ve got 3,600 lane miles in the district. We’re going to begin with our critical routes and work our way out from there. We’re going to start on Interstate 75 and once that’s completed we’ll begin brining other routes as we can,” Southwest Georgia District Engineer Scott Chambers said. “We expect additional resources from our brine contractor to get to our district on Monday to treat other routes off interstate according to our route priority list.”

Georgia DOT regularly treats roadways, bridges and overpasses with brine, a mixture of salt and water. It lowers the freezing point of precipitation on the pavement from 32 degrees to approximately 25 degrees. Southwest Georgia has brine tanks stationed at seven locations around the 31-county district.

Drivers should not crowd Georgia DOT vehicles on the road to give crews space to help ensure they can safely do their jobs. Brine trucks must travel 40 mph to properly apply the treatment.

Georgia DOT crews will respond to treat roads with a salt and rock mixture for ice. They will use plows for snow removal, as necessary. Also, motorists should not pass a Georgia DOT truck spreading salt or gravel. Gravel may kick up and damage vehicles that are following too closely. Please pay attention and stay back at least 100 feet.

GDOT encourages Southwest Georgia residents to follow local weather resources for specific conditions in their areas. The best resource for state route travel conditions is 511GA. Download the 511GA app or visit 511GA.org. Motorists can also get real-time traffic assistance or information, or report an issue on Georgia state roads, by dialing 511 hands-free on a mobile phone. For a list of facts and materials related to Georgia DOT’s winter weather preparedness including fact sheets, photos and video, please visit https://www.dot.ga.gov/GDOT/pages/WinterWeather.aspx.