NWS WARNS WIDESPREAD BLACK ICE IN METRO ATLANTA AND NORTH GEORGIA COUNTIES Atlanta, Ga. – Georgia DOT, Georgia Emergency Management Agency and the Georgia State Patrol in coordination with other emergency response agencies will continue to address widespread icing that is expected overnight and early Tuesday morning in metro Atlanta and north Georgia counties. During the overnight hours, 18 GDOT Interstate Response Teams, 15 multi-agency Strike Teams and 10 brine trucks will begin further treatment of interstate highways in metro Atlanta and North Georgia in anticipation of widespread black ice following rain and falling temperatures. The National Weather Service predicts that rain will end around 1 a.m. Tuesday; and temperatures are expected to hover around or drop below freezing in the early morning, around 4 a.m. In his press briefing, Governor Nathan Deal delayed opening state offices in Metro Atlanta until 10:00 a.m. “We have planned, worked on scenarios together and our metro district crews are working closely with the Georgia State Patrol and GEMA on a coordinated plan to keep our roadways clear and safe,” said Georgia DOT Maintenance Engineer Dale Brantley. “We urge motorists to pay attention to weather reports and plan accordingly.” Georgia DOT’s newly configured brine distribution crews began treatment of metro Atlanta interstates and overpasses at approximately 8 a.m. Sunday. Crews ran 12-hour shifts and spread brine on Interstates 285, 85, 75, 20 and 675 and GA 400. Today, those teams began treatment of SR 400 from SR 141 to SR 60 in Forsyth, Dawson and Lumpkin counties; I-575 to Blairsville; I-85 from the Gwinnett County line to South Carolina state line; I-985 to 441 Interchange SR 59/24; one brine tanker truck remained in the Atlanta area to treat isolated spots. Interstate response teams will work through 7 p.m. today; and multi-agency strike teams will continue to monitor and respond to icy conditions as needed. Additional crews in North Georgia, who began treating icy conditions this afternoon, will continue to work throughout the day and overnight. In addition, Overhead Message Signs and digital billboards throughout the state will warn motorists of changing weather conditions and potential for widespread black ice overnight and early morning. The following are contacts for impacted areas of the state: Georgia DOT’s Transportation Management Center…Karlene Barron/Natalie Dale…404-635-2490 or 2491 Metro District Marietta Office….Annalysce Baker….470-891-2992 GDOT District 1 (NE Georgia)…Teri Pope... 404-274-6436 GDOT District 6 (NW Georgia)…Mohamed Arafa… 770.359.9523 During hazardous winter weather conditions, Georgia DOT advises motorists to:  Call 511 to report icy conditions on interstates and state routes;  If possible, postpone travel until daylight hours when road conditions such as black ice are more visible;  Do not pass a Georgia DOT dump truck spreading the salt/gravel mixture, as gravel may kick up and could break car windshields—follow at least 100 feet behind Department vehicles;  Be aware of Georgia DOT crews working to clear the snow and ice from interstates and state routes;Visit us on Facebook or Twitter.  SLOW DOWN at least half your normal speed and use a low gear as you drive;  Treat a non-working traffic signal as a four-way stop; and  Beware of black ice (especially on bridges) and watch for fallen trees or power lines Georgia DOT urges travelers to exercise caution and call 511 for updated information on roadway conditions before getting on the road during a winter weather event. Georgia 511 is a free phone service that provides real-time traffic and travel information statewide, including winter weather closures, reports of icing or other hazardous conditions on interstates and state routes. Callers also can transfer to operators to request assistance or report incidents 24 hours a day, seven days a week. More information is available at www.511ga.org. For more information on Georgia DOT, please visit www.dot.ga.gov or subscribe to our Press Release RSS feed.