February 12, 2010

Contact: SID GAULDEN, 803-896-8409,

Pete Poore, SCDOT, 803-737-1270

Your local CRO, 803-896-8144

SCDPS, EMD, SCDOT MAKE PREPARATIONS FOR THIRD WINTER DRIVING THREAT IN RECENT WEEKS

COLUMBIA – State law enforcement, transportation and emergency management officials are again preparing for the rare occurrence of bad weather that could affect most of the state later today and early in the morning. A winter weather warning has been issued for most of South Carolina with rain changing to snow later today. The weather forecast calls for rain to begin in the early afternoon hours before changing over to snow. Most of South Carolina could be affected by the changing weather conditions.

“Once again, our citizens and motorists driving through South Carolina may have to face hazardous driving conditions due to the threat of winter weather,” said Mark Keel, director of SCDPS. “The reports tend to indicate that this weather front could move into South Carolina later today. As a result of that possibility, SCDPS, SCDOT and EMD have begun the process of staging personnel and equipment across the state to be in a position to react should hazardous situations arise.”

Col. Kenny Lancaster Jr., commanding officer of the South Carolina Highway Patrol, urged motorists to heed the warning signs of the approaching weather conditions. “Based on the latest weather models and in consultation with other state agencies, we are urging folks to get off the roadways by dark this evening, if at all possible.

“Troopers and SCDOT will be working through the night and assessing roadways in the morning. We are strongly urging motorists to stay off the roadways in the morning until the icy conditions begin to dissipate.”

The Highway Patrol will issue updates through the media Saturday morning, advising motorists of road conditions. Motorists can also consult the SCHP and SCDOT web sites for road conditions and real-time traffic information. During hazardous weather, SCDPS urges motorists to only use *HP for true emergencies such as reporting collisions or being stranded in a vehicle.

The South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) has activated its online site for winter weather road conditions. Go to www.scdot.org and click on “Winter Road Conditions.” This page is activated at times when snow and ice conditions affect South Carolina highways. The reports are updated around the clock by SCDOT personnel in each district several times a day as conditions warrant.

· In the Midlands, crews are preparing for the predicted inclement weather. Each county is in the process of converting to full shifts. Rock salt will be applied to roads and bridges beginning at the appropriate time this afternoon/evening. The second shifts will report at varying times between 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

· Pretreatment operations began in Cherokee, Chester, Fairfield, Lancaster, Union and York counties this morning as precipitation is expected to begin as snow instead of light rain. Salt-brining operations will continue throughout the day and through this event.

· In the Greenwood/Laurens/Anderson/Edgefield region, pretreatment operations began on all interstates this morning as precipitation is expected to begin as snow instead of light rain. Salt-brining operations will continue throughout the day and through this event. The second shifts will report at 8 p.m.

· In the Greenville/Spartanburg region, plans are in place to begin 24-hour coverage operations. Crews will begin pretreatment on interstates approximately noon. Pickens County will begin pretreatment before noon.

· In the Pee Dee and Myrtle Beach areas, all counties are beginning 12-hour shifts this morning, and will continue 12-hour shifts until road conditions are normal. Crews are pretreating all selected pavements and all bridge decks with salt brine in advance of the winter weather.

· In Charleston/Beaufort/Dorchester region, plans are in place to begin 24 hour coverage / operations now. Pretreatment of bridges will begin by noon.

· In Orangeburg/Aiken/Hampton/Clarendon region, plans are in place to begin 24 hour coverage/operations now. Crews will begin pretreatment of bridges by noon.

SCDOT’s web site to check road conditions and traffic cameras: www.dot.state.sc.us

The Highway Patrol’s web site to get real-time traffic information: www.schp.org

-- 30 --

DPS/12/10