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- Subscribe - Contact Us - Rate Card - Place an Ad Archives Revels Classifieds Real Estate Guide Weather Subscribe Contact Us January 7, 2005 Go slow in the ice and snow By Jennifer Squires Ashland Daily Tidings When winter weather causes area roads to be frosty or icy, people should just slow down, according to John Peterson with the city of Ashland Street Department. Although the Oregon Department of Transportation uses a non-corrosive magnesium-chloride treatment as both a preventive method and a de-icer to keep roadways as safe as possible, the four ODOT trucks equipped to spread the treatment in and around Ashland simply can't do it all. In mid-December, two vehicles were involved in single-car accidents on East Main Street near Tolman Creek Road overnight. The next week, two vehicles ran off the pavement on the corner at the bottom end of Crowson Road just after 8 a.m. Icy or frosty roadways contributed to all four accidents. "It comes down to the same corners," Peterson said. "People go too fast." ODOT's biggest priority is Interstate 5, followed by Highways 66 and 99 and the Neil Creek area. That leaves roadways with higher speed limits on the outskirts of Ashland, such as East Main Street, untreated and icy. However, there are simple steps motorists can take to ensure their safety, according to Jackson County Fire District 5 engineer John Marin. "Leave early to wherever you're going," Marin said, recommending motorists also carry chains or traction devices in the winter, and be prepared with extra food, water and blankets if they plan to travel long distances. "Be aware of the road conditions and drive accordingly. "Normally what happens is people are just driving too fast." Before a winter storm, ODOT will spray the treatment on roadways to prevent ice from forming. The first focus is the Siskiyou Summit and Interstate 5, then highways and specific Ashland streets. "A lot of the time [the treatment] will melt the ice right on top as well," said Jim Henney, the transportation coordinator at the Ashland ODOT office. "It does a real good job." In Ashland, streets are cleared according to importance, meaning Siskiyou Boulevard, Lithia Way and Ashland, North Main and Maple streets get top priority for snow plows and sanding machines. After that, East Main Street and Mountain Avenue get attention, followed by high-traffic residential streets as time permits. The street department doesn't use de-icing chemicals, which are corrosive, within city limits. However, ODOT does de-ice Siskiyou Boulevard, Highway 66, East Main Street through town, Lithia Way and North Main Street "That is only when they have time," Peterson said. "This is not their priority." When ODOT does have the means, crews will go out to treat problem areas such as the areas where the minor vehicle accidents occurred in December. Crews will also use the treatment around schools in Ashland when it's very icy. DailyTidings.com Home Page Archives | Revels | Classifieds | Real Estate Guide | Weather | Subscribe | Contact Us Copyright 2005 Ashland Daily Tidings and Ottaway Newspapers All Rights Reserved Slippers Women's Slippers men's slippers Ceramic Piggy Banks heloc libor rate Calenders 2005 Calender 2005 Accelerate Weight Loss Programs Memory Foam Mattress college loans alternative student loans Matchmaking & Dating Scripts Adventure Travel Conference Calls - $50/Month Security Systems student loan consolidation trillion cut diamonds Currancy Exchange Click Here Site Search: .:Advertisements:. RESOURCES - Mail Tribune News - ODOT Road Cams