696 is a total mess

Jimmy252 · #1 (**permalink**) 01-14-2009, 11:05 PM

Accidents from 275 all the way out east. State police are active on all district 2 TG's.

Im currently feeding my scanner on a Teamspeak 70.87.174.163:8859

They are shutting 696 down west of lincoln, MSP K9 trooper requesting assistence.

Universaldecoder · #2 (**permalink**) 01-14-2009, 11:47 PM

MSP Trooper just stated, "You can't even walk on it". No ETA on salt trucks per Dispatcher. At these temps (-20 F) I don't think salt will do much good. I-696 is therefore closed at the moment.

bigbluemsp · #3 (**permalink**) 01-15-2009, 07:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Universaldecoder

MSP Trooper just stated, "You can't even walk on it". No ETA on salt trucks per Dispatcher. At these temps (-20 F) I don't think salt will do much good. I-696 is therefore closed at the moment.

My dad was in charge of salt crews for 30 years and he said salt is uneffective below 15 degrees for the most part and below 5 it is useless. All it's good for then is chipping paint, and putting small dents in cars. This is when they should use sand.

N8DRC · #4 (**permalink**) 01-15-2009, 12:26 PM

Even if you did use salt and it did work it would refreeze anyways..We were using straight sand all day yesterday..

Ray_Air · #5 (**permalink**) 01-15-2009, 01:49 PM

These can be interesting to watch when the freeways are a mess:
http://mdotwas1.mdot.state.mi.us/pub...meraViewer.cfm

garryd451 · #6 (**permalink**) 01-15-2009, 02:39 PM

I heard the State Salt Trucks talking today, thet were usung a salt/sand combination down here.

N8DRC · #7 (**permalink**) 01-15-2009, 05:15 PM

We use that to when the temp's aren't so low like the past few days..

Universaldecoder · #8 (**permalink**) 01-15-2009, 06:03 PM

Listening in on all the MSP activity over the past month has definitely had an affect on my driving behavior. It's even made me more wary of the other guy/gal. These front line reports coming from my scanners are really good reminders.

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Icy grip snarls traffic, shuts schools
Santiago Esparza The Detroit News
January 15, 2009 12:00 PM

View Full Story

The coldest temperatures in five years contributed to a brutal early-morning commute and forced the closure of dozens of schools today.

The freezing temperatures and blustery conditions also prompted school districts to cancel classes today, many in Monroe County.

Temperatures were in the single digits at about 11:30 a.m., according to meteorologists with the National Weather Service in White Lake Township. That makes salt on roads less than effective, said Bob Hoepfner, a highway engineer with the Road Commission of Macomb County.

"It acts as an abrasive but does not melt (ice)," he said. "People must drive according to the weather conditions. Obviously this morning they did not."

Hoepfner said there is nothing crews can do to make roads less slick when it is this cold and said drivers need to slow down and stay alert. He said he is amazed as he watches drivers blow past him in the morning as he drives to work.

"People think they are indestructible and invincible," he said. "They have to be careful."

Icy conditions Thursday morning forced the complete closure of Interstate 75 at Davison. The freeway later reopened when road crews were able to treat the roadway's surface.

The frigid overnight temperatures claimed at least one life.

A Livingston County man was discovered frozen to death at about 6:30 a.m. today outside his home. He appeared to be accidentally locked out of his Hamburg Township home and wasn't wearing a coat, hat or gloves, according to police.

The recent cold snap is the worst in about five years, weather service meteorologists said. Temperatures this week were expected to average 20 to 25 degrees below normal temperatures for this time in January. An arctic cold front is to blame for the weather woes, the meteorologists said.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that people who do not have to be outside stay indoors. Those who do venture outside should bundle up and have no exposed skin.

Animals should not be left outside, according to the Michigan Humane Society. AAA Auto Club of Michigan suggests that motorists keep gas tanks at least half full, test car batteries and completely remove snow from an auto before driving it.
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MPSCS · #9 (**permalink**) 01-15-2009, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Universaldecoder

MSP Trooper just stated, "You can't even walk on it". No ETA on salt trucks per Dispatcher. At these temps (-20 F) I don't think salt will do much good. I-696 is therefore closed at the moment.

They should really consider shutting them down when they get that bad. Some people will still try to drive 70+ no matter how bad!

GTO_04 · #10 (**permalink**) 01-17-2009, 01:13 AM

Calcium and magnesium will work at lower temperatures.

GTO_04

MPSCS · #11 (**permalink**) 01-17-2009, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTO_04

Calcium and magnesium will work at lower temperatures.

GTO_04

They're most likely aware of that. Most all the counties in S.E. Michigan admitted early in the season that they were going to be stingy on clearing the roads, due to low staffing and lack of funds.

GTO_04 · #12 (**permalink**) 01-18-2009, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SIG-INT

They're most likely aware of that. Most all the counties in S.E. Michigan admitted early in the season that they were going to be stingy on clearing the roads, due to low staffing and lack of funds.

Yes, have seen similar reports around here (central Indiana), but then again our snow removal has
always been lousy.

GTO_04