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  Archived Posts From: 2014

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Why You Might See A Snow Plow Driving Fast

Written on: January 3rd, 2014 in Alert MessagesSafetyWeather Related Notices

Snow removal operations must proceed as quickly and safely as possible in order to plow as many miles of road as possible in a limited amount of time.  The Delaware Department of Transportation is responsible for more than 12,000 lane- miles of roads, or 89 percent of the roads in Delaware. Drivers are trained to operate their equipment at safe speeds that will result in an effective snow removal effort over a large area.

If you believe that a vehicle is being driven in a reckless or unsafe manner, please contact DelDOT’s Office of Public Relations at (302) 760-2080 with detailed information about the specific situation.


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Why You Might See Snow Plows With Their Blades Up

Written on: January 3rd, 2014 in Alert MessagesUS113Weather Related Notices

Delaware Department of Transportation snow plows are assigned to plow specific roads, and they must travel quickly, but safely, from one assignment to another. With their plows down, trucks travel more slowly and might need to stop at each crossroad. Further, if a road has been recently salted, driving with the plow down might remove salt that has been applied to help melt snow and ice.


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DelDOT Scaling Back Road Crews Overnight

Written on: January 3rd, 2014 in Alert MessagesElkton RoadEllendaleGeorgetownI-95I-95 Delaware Toll PlazaI95/SR1 InterchangeIndian River Inlet BridgeKentMilfordMillsboroNew CastleRailroad CrossingsRoute 1Route 26Route 40Route 54SafetySussexUS113US301Weather Related Notices

As darkness and dropping temperatures slowed progress, the Delaware Department of Transportation scaled back road-clearing crews in New Castle County shortly after sunset. DelDOT will reduce road-clearing crews in Kent County at 8 p.m. and will reduce road-clearing crews in Sussex County at 9 p.m. Partial crews will remain on duty throughout the night to monitor conditions and to respond to emergencies. Most road-clearing crews will return to work on Saturday morning as temperatures rise.


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DelDOT Battles Drifts And Near-Zero Temperatures

Written on: January 3rd, 2014 in Alert MessagesElkton RoadEllendaleGeorgetownI-95I-95 Delaware Toll PlazaI95/SR1 InterchangeIndian River Inlet BridgeKentMilfordMillsboroNew CastleRailroad CrossingsRoute 1Route 26Route 40Route 54SafetySussexUS113Weather Related Notices

Across Delaware, DelDOT crews continue to battle drifting snow and frigid temperatures. The major challenges now are winds that blow the snow back into the roadways and low temperatures that cause the road salt to be less effective.

Primary and secondary roads statewide are covered in a thin layer of packed snow and ice.

Despite these challenges, more than 400 men and women, employed by DelDOT, continue treating the roads with salt and plowing the snow. These crews worked all day yesterday, and through the night.

Residents are urged to stay off the roads if possible. Not only is it safer for residents, but it allows DelDOT crews more area in which to work safely.


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What To Do If DelDOT Damages Your Mailbox Or Other Property

Written on: January 3rd, 2014 in Alert MessagesWeather Related Notices

The Delaware Department of Transportation takes every reasonable precaution to minimize or prevent any damage to public or private property during any of its operations. However, if your property was damaged, please call 1 (800) 652-5600.


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What To Do If You Get Stuck #snowDE

Written on: January 3rd, 2014 in Alert MessagesSafetyWeather Related Notices

If your vehicle becomes stuck in snow and ice, please follow this advice from the AAA:

Do not attempt to free your vehicle by using raw power. Rapid or forceful pressure upon your accelerator will often result in your vehicle digging its wheels into a deeper rut.

Use smarts and finesse instead.

First, clear snow away from the tires. Then, to improve traction, spread sand, cat litter or some kind of abrasive material around the drive wheels. Finally, shift the car into low gear, and apply slow, gentle pressure to the accelerator.

If you are unable to free your vehicle, and you are in a life-threatening situation, call 911. If your situation is not life-threatening, and you must travel, please call the appropriate emergency operations center.

Sussex County Emergency Operations Center: (302) 855-7801

Kent County Emergency Operations Center: (302) 735-3474

New Castle County Emergency Operations Center: (302) 395-2700

Wilmington Emergency Operations Center: (302) 576-3914


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Drifting, Low Temps Challenge Road Crews

Written on: January 3rd, 2014 in Alert MessagesSafetyWeather Related Notices

Road temperatures throughout Delaware are below freezing and falling toward zero, a range in which salt melts ice and snow less effectively. Adding to the hazards on state roads is continuous drifting in New Castle, Kent and Sussex counties. As a result, driving conditions remain hazardous — even on the primary roads that the Delaware Department of Transportation has plowed and salted. Despite clear skies, DelDOT recommends that motorists avoid driving unless they must drive. Anyone who must drive should maintain slow speeds and caution.


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DelDOT Working Through The Night To Clear Roads

Written on: January 3rd, 2014 in Alert MessagesSafetyWeather Related Notices

Dover — With morning rush hour approaching, many roads throughout Delaware are snow covered, despite Deldot crews working through the night.

More than 400 DelDOT employees have spent the night plowing and salting roads, and will continue working all day today.
Residents are urged to stay off the roads if possible, today, not only because roads are snow covered, but also because the extremely low temperatures are also a hazard.

Jim Westhoff
DelDOT Community Relations Officer
Desk — 302 760-2160
Mobile — 302 943-3589


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If You Must Drive, Follow This Advice #snowDE

Written on: January 3rd, 2014 in Alert MessagesSafetyWeather Related Notices

While ice and snow remain on Delaware roads, the Delaware Department of Transportation advises motorists to avoid driving unless they must drive. And anyone who must drive should heed the advice of the AAA:


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Snowfall Ending; Hazardous Conditions Remain #snowDE

Written on: January 3rd, 2014 in Alert MessagesElkton RoadEllendaleGeorgetownI-95I-95 Delaware Toll PlazaI95/SR1 InterchangeIndian River Inlet BridgeKentMilfordMillsboroNew CastleRailroad CrossingsRoute 1Route 26Route 40Route 54SafetySussexUS113US301Weather Related Notices

As of 4:30 a.m., the National Weather Service reports that steady precipitation is ending. No new accumulation is expected, although snow flurries could linger for a couple of hours. Temperatures might drop as low as 0 as the day progresses. Temperatures well below freezing and high winds will likely contribute to hazardous driving conditions. Snowfall between four and seven inches, in addition to wind-driven drifting, have required the Delaware Department of Transportation to focus on primary roads. As a result, secondary and back roads will receive limited attention today.


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