CONCORD — A press release from the city of Concord says major thoroughfares and roads that have received snow and ice abatement attention are in fair condition with numerous icy patches.
All other Concord area streets are reported to be ice covered, extremely hazardous, and in places impassable; even for vehicles with four-wheel drive.
Roadway conditions are not expected to improve until mid-day at the earliest. Pedestrian travel is dangerous and is strongly discouraged at this time unless sidewalk facilities have been attended to and are clear and dry.
Overnight and early this morning, city of Concord crews spread an additional salt–sand–calcium chloride mixture on its assigned bare pavement routes and will resume plowing operations this morning when traffic volume and temperature conditions combine with the previously spread mixture to allow for this work to be done effectively.
When bare pavement on assigned routes is again achieved, crews will transition spreading and plowing operations onto other heavily used major collector streets and known trouble spots not on the assigned bare pavement schedule to the extent possible.
A winter storm warning is in effect until noon today. A winter weather advisory is in effect from noon today until noon Wednesday. A winter storm warning means that severe winter weather conditions are expected or are occurring.
Significant amounts of ice are making for extremely treacherous travel conditions. A winter weather advisory for black ice means that refreezing of roads will occur, resulting in the development of black ice. Be prepared for very slippery roadways. Some roads that appear clear may be covered by a thin layer of ice. Only travel in an emergency.
If driving is necessary, the North Carolina Highway Patrol and Concord Police Department urge the following precautions:
• Bridges and overpasses accumulate snow and ice first. Approach them with extreme caution and do not apply your brakes while on the bridge.
• Leave plenty of room between you and other vehicles. If traveling, motorists are asked to provide extra distance around service vehicles where snow and ice abatement operations are occurring.
• Reduce your speed. Driving at the regular speed limit will reduce your ability to control the car if you begin to slide.
• If you do begin to slide, take your foot off the gas and turn the steering wheel IN THE DIRECTION OF THE SLIDE. Do not apply the brakes, as that will cause further loss of control of the car.
• Be aware of playing children.
• Traffic signal problems should be reported to the Concord Customer Care Center at (704) 920-5555. Please treat intersections with non-working signals as an all-way STOP condition.
As residential streets are in poor condition, solid waste services will not operate today. A decision will be made this afternoon for Wednesday operations.
City administrative offices are open for business today.
Rider Transit will not operate today. A decision on the start of tomorrow’s Rider Transit service will be made this evening or early Wednesday morning. Service updates will be available on ckrider.com and facebook.com/ridertransit.