Navigating the Travel Dilemma: To Roam or to Relax at Home?

Winter conditions have officially reached North Texas, with snowfall predicted as soon as Wednesday, as per the National Weather Service in Fort Worth.

The Texas Department of Transportation’s Dallas District initiated emergency measures on Monday, with teams executing 12-hour shifts to treat roadways during the winter event.

Teams commenced applying brine to roads mid-morning Monday across the district’s seven-county jurisdiction, a spokesperson verified.

Brine is being sprayed on the outer lanes of all major roadways first, followed by additional lanes and streets as time allows prior to the storm’s arrival.

Bridges and overpasses are the first to freeze, warns TxDOT, so motorists should remain vigilant.

“If winter storms are predicted, contemplate postponing your travel or simply remaining at home,” TxDOT spokesperson Tila Grant stated.

“If travel is unavoidable, check forecasts and visit DriveTexas.org or call 800-452-9292 for highway and road conditions along your intended route,” Grant continued.

Dallas Area Rapid Transit rail services were operating on 30-minute intervals Monday morning due to “various cold weather-related complications,” with potential delays expected throughout the day, noted the agency in a rider alert update.

‘Diverse scenarios’

DART personnel are checking and maintaining generators at the agency’s facilities, and will take measures to treat walkways at bus and train stations ahead of Thursday. Nonetheless, specific effects will rely on weather conditions, staff mentioned Monday.

“If, for instance, a significant amount of ice builds up on our overhead catenary system, or if the system loses power, DART could establish bus shuttles to assist in transporting passengers,” spokesperson Anna Kurian said in an email.

“Our team is making preparations for a variety of scenarios that are contingent on the weather,” Kurian added.

DART has previously extended hours at agency transit hubs when temperatures plummet below freezing for several days to provide shelter for customers transferring within the system, Kurian stated. Riders can enroll for alerts and find warming stations using the GoPass app.

The Dallas Police Department is reminding drivers to reduce speed and remain vigilant, advising against leaving vehicles running unattended to warm them up. The department will continue to post safety recommendations on its social media channels, a spokesperson mentioned Monday.

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