(Washington, DC) The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) and the Department of Public Works (DPW) will be out in full force in anticipation of snow and ice forecasted to begin early Friday morning. The District of Columbia is currently under a Winter Storm Watch through Friday into early Saturday morning with precipitation scheduled to begin in the very early morning hours. Forecasts indicate 1 to possibly 3 inches of snow changing to a mix of sleet and freezing rain during the day Friday and into Friday night. Temperatures are expected to stay around freezing. 

The District Snow Team will deploy approximately 200 pieces of equipment Friday including heavy and light plows, salt trucks and sprayers to treat the overpasses, bridges, ramps, major corridors and residential streets with salt and brine solution.

At a press conference earlier this afternoon Mayor Adrian M. Fenty, along with Emeka Moneme, Director of DDOT, and William Howland, Director of DPW, encouraged drivers to drive with caution, plan ahead, allow for ample time to reach destinations, and take transit as an alternative to driving.

Variable Message Signs placed strategically along local highways and corridors will remind motorists that “Bridges Freeze before Roadways” in an effort to further remind drivers to go slowly and be wary of icy conditions including black ice in the roadway.  Black ice is transparent ice located on the roadway making it very difficult to detect and becoming a major hazard to motorists.

The District Snow Team also repeats this often heard message and reminds local residents and commuters:

• Roadways can be slippery and pedestrians can take longer to cross intersections. Please remain alert, do not drive distracted and be aware of surrounding conditions including other motorists and pedestrians.
  
• District residents and businesses need to “clear their sidewalks, sidewalk entrances, nearby catch basin openings, and the area surrounding hydrants of snow, sleet and ice to prevent injury to pedestrians.” These important measures assist in keeping the sidewalks safe and passable for all pedestrians including District residents and visitors. Please remember to assist elderly and disabled neighbors.

Again, the District Snow Team reminds commuters and residents to please adhere to these important safety and driving tips:

• Please take Metro as an alternative to driving
• Listen to media reports for weather updates
• If you must drive, please drive carefully as road conditions could be icy
• Remember that driving on ice is significantly different than driving on snow
• Remember even a 4-wheel drive SUV does not perform well in ice and additional safety measures should be followed
• Be aware of road conditions, particularly black ice which can be deceptive in its appearance giving the driver a false sense of security on the road
• Drivers should use extreme caution and maintain safe speeds and distances from other vehicles
• Remember to keep a safe distance from emergency and snow vehicles during any major winter weather event. Stay behind plow vehicles at least 25 feet and do not attempt to pass the vehicles