Many area roads remain icy after ovenight cold

Road conditions are still icy in some spots this morning. All of our area counties remain under a travel advisory this morning. That includes Bartholomew, Brown, Decatur, Jackson, Jennings, Johnson and Shelby counties.

A travel advisory is the lowest level of local travel restrictions and means that conditions could be hazardous in some areas. Many roads and streets were cleared by yesterday, however emergency officials say that the roads remained snow-covered or wet and as temperatures dropped some roads refroze.

Area officials are warning that extreme cold temperatures make completely clearing roads impossible.

Bartholomew County Highway Engineer Danny Hollander told the county commissioners yesterday morning that while county crews were working on roads during the severe weather, once temperatures drop to near 0 or below, salt no longer works to melt the ice. He said that at that point, plows are just scraping the top layer of ice on the roadway.

The Columbus Department of Public Works explains that snow plows are designed to push snow but once vehicles drive on the snow, it becomes a packed snow and ice mix that is very difficult to remove. Especially without damaging the underlying pavement.

Officials urge you to continue to use caution and if you have to be on the road, give yourself extra time to reach your destination.