Treating highways with deicer and traction products, TxDOT crews were out all night   in the nine counties serviced (Archer, Baylor, Clay, Cooke, Montague, Throckmorton, Wichita, Wilbarger, Young).  Ice covered with sleet blankets the district right now. We have had numerous slide off and minor wrecks.  Speed has been the major contributor to the crashes. 

Highways reporting very slick conditions include I-35 in Cooke county and US 277/82 in Baylor county.

Our crews will stay on 12 hour around the clock shifts until the storm ends. We are putting down deicing liquids like Brine as well as traction materials on bridges and trouble spots.

TxDOT is extremely concerned with the potential for worse conditions with temperatures forecast to steay well below freezing today.

Drivers are urged to follow these precautions:

•   Reduce speed. Speed limits are based on normal road and weather conditions, not winter road conditions. Do not use cruise  control.
• • Maintain at least three times the normal following distance on snow or ice.
• • Watch carefully for personnel and equipment treating roadways, and stay at least 200 feet back from road crews.
• • Use extra caution on bridges, ramps, overpasses and shaded areas as they tend to freeze first.
• • Carry extra warm coats, gloves and boots in case you get stranded.
• • If you start to slide, ease off the gas pedal or brakes. Steer into the direction of the skid until you feel you have regained traction, and then straighten your vehicle.

Motorists can obtain travel information by visiting drivetexas.org or calling (800) 452-9292. Road conditions and traffic updates are available on Facebook, www.facebook.com/txdot and Twitter,  www.twitter.com/txdotwf .

Information provided by the Texas Department of Transportation at 8:15 a.m. Monday.