ALDOT advises motorists that travel is hazardous and expected to become more hazardous as conditions worsen tonight in north Alabama. Non-essential travel is strongly discouraged.
At this time, the only weather-related closure of a state-maintained route is on I-65, between Exit 310 (Alabama 157 at Cullman) and Exit 318 (U.S. 31 at Lacon) due to ice and multiple crashes along a four-mile stretch north of Cullman. Troopers are working to clear the crashes and ALDOT is treating the roadway.
Icy conditions are widespread and some routes may become impassable during the night. Expect hazardous conditions to persist Tuesday.
ALDOT crews worked Sunday night/Monday morning and throughout the day in northwestern Alabama counties. Crews went into action in other districts as wintry precipitation progressed eastward and adverse conditions developed.
In addition to treating with salt, ALDOT used snow plows to clear accumulated snow, and motor graders to blade ice from pavement. Operations were interrupted at times by heavy precipitation but were generally ongoing throughout the day.
Continued precipitation and cold posed repeat problems.
Salt treatments become less effective at lower temperatures, and with the extreme cold, some areas were expected to remain icy overnight.
This afternoon, crews began spreading sand on many problem areas. Sand bonds to ice and provides traction.
ALDOT will have reduced crews in some districts tonight, responding as needed and allowing some personnel to rest and return to duty Tuesday.
Check algotraffic.com or download the ALGO Traffic app for road condition information. Follow ALDOT North Region on X @ALDOT_NRegion for updates.
ALDOT’s North Region includes Lauderdale, Colbert, Franklin, Lawrence, Morgan, Limestone, Madison, Marshall, Jackson, Dekalb, Etowah and Cherokee counties
