Brownwood News – The Texas Department of Transportation’s (TxDOT) Brownwood District has begun winter weather preparations as a cold front has moved into West Central Texas, bringing freezing temperatures and precipitation Monday.

TxDOT crews are pre-treating main lanes of Interstate 20 (I-20), and all US and state highways throughout the district to prepare for possible winter weather. The Brownwood District includes the counties of Brown, Coleman, Comanche, Eastland, Lampasas, McCulloch, Mills, San Saba and Stephens Counties.

The National Weather Service (NWS) forecast for the region anticipates a chance of continued light freezing rain and sleet during tonight’s freeze (south of a Sterling City to Brownwood line).  Temperatures are expected to dip into the teens to low 20s throughout the district overnight.

TxDOT crews began treating structures and state maintained roads Monday morning.  Crews will remain vigilant monitoring these roadways and treating as needed. Motorists are urged to be on the lookout for slower-moving TxDOT vehicles involved in the pretreatment process.

TxDOT uses brine (a solution of water and salt) as a pretreatment for roadways prior to freezing precipitation. The brine is applied using spray nozzles attached to tanks mounted on the back of TxDOT trucks, forming a milky appearance on the roadway. The brine helps prevent the bonding of frozen precipitation to the pavement, aiding in the removal of snow and ice.

Travelers are encouraged to plan ahead and check roadway conditions prior to travel. TxDOT reminds motorists to follow these helpful tips when traveling in winter weather:

  • Give yourself time to reach your destination and account for possible travel delays. Have patience and share the road with other drivers.
  • Drive with caution, reduce speed and increase travel distance between your vehicle and others on the road (at least three times the normal following distance).
  • Do not use cruise control.
  • If you start to lose control, ease off the gas pedals or brakes. Steer into the direction of a skid until you can regain traction, and then straighten your vehicle.
  • And if you don’t have to travel, stay home.

TxDOT roadway conditions statewide are available at DriveTexas.org or by calling 1-800-452-9292. TxDOT Twitter feeds and the TxDOT Facebook page are also valuable resources for travel conditions across the state.  More winter weather travel information is available on the TxDOT website.