Icy Road Conditions Cause Road Closures

Baton Rouge, La. (BRPROUD)– As temperatures dropped, roads and bridges continue to be too dangerous for passing. Several road and bridge closures occurred today, causing some to wonder what’s to come in the next few days.

Residents across Louisiana woke up to an abundance of ice this morning.

The Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) prepared for this upcoming weather ahead of the freeze.

DOTD Communications Director Rodney Mallett said, “We started pre-treating yesterday at 2 o’clock, and we were able to pre-treat and keep the roads open for the majority of the night, but we concentrate our resources on the bridges. ” 

One of their goals was to try to keep as many roads and bridges open as possible, however some remained impassible. 

“It got real cold this morning and the sleet came in …a lot of the roadways started to ice, so we ended up closing the I-10 Mississippi River Bridge, Atchafalaya Basin Bridge and interstate I -10,” said Mallett.

The real question was… when may things clear up? 

BRPROUD Chief Meteorologist Jesse Gunkel explained, “Roads are probably going to actually take about two days, that’s the unfortunate part. We have a very brief window tomorrow, where we are going to get above freezing, but that’s only going to probably be for about 5 hours. ”

Until then, residents were advised to beware of black ice.

Gunkel said, “Black ice is definitely going to be the issue, that’s where it’s transparent, you can’t see it, not only for roadways but for sidewalks and our driveways… you taking a dog for a walk, be careful, you might fall on your rear end.”

DOTD said that the roads and bridges will open once they are deemed safe, but until then they advise everyone to just stay at home.

To keep updated on road closures and you can visit brproud.com or download our BRPROUD App.

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