Highways 20, 9 in Forsyth Icy, Hazardous

The Georgia Department of Transportation is urging motorists to stay off the roadways. Hazardous driving conditions are spreading throughout northeast Georgia, according to an update issued by the agency at 9 p.m. Tuesday.  

DOT crews are active throughout affected areas but officials are urging motorists to stay off of highways as conditions are likely to continue to deteriorate overnight, according to the press release. 

They are advising the public to refrain from all but absolutely necessary travel until midday Wednesday at the earliest. 

These following locations, in which icing has been reported, are hazardous, but crews are working in the areas:

• Forsyth State Route 20 Bridge over the Chattahoochee River and SR 9 southbound;
• Barrow SR 211, SR 81, SR 82 and SR 316;
• Dawson SR 183, SR 136 and SR 53;
• Gwinnett  SR 20 bridge over the Chattahoochee River, SR 20, SR 316 at Collins Hill Road, SR 140 and SR 141 Northbound at Peachtree Corners East;
• Hall I-985 and SR 365 icing on bridges and higher elevations;
• Habersham SR 15/US 441, SR 105, SR 17
• Lumpkin SR 9 and SR 60
• White SR 11, SR 115, SR 75, SR 356
• Rabun SR 2/US 76, SR 15/US 441
• Towns SR 2/US 76
• Union SR 2/SR 515/US 76 and SR 180

Motorists are urged to:

Check weather conditions before leaving Friday morning and stay off the roads unless it is an emergency if conditions warrant in the Northeast Georgia Mountains. Choose caution and stay where you are instead of driving in hazardous winter weather conditions.

Slow down and stay behind the snowplows. The road behind the plow will be the safest place to drive. Allow at least ten car lengths between your vehicle and snowplows or hopper spreaders. 

Do not pass. The plows are wide, and sometimes a group of trucks will work in tandem to clear snow quickly, especially on major highways.

Be particularly aware of black ice conditions on surfaces such as bridge decks and entrance and exit ramps.

Remember that technology helps, but only to a point. Four-wheel drive, anti-lock brakes and traction control are beneficial advancements in today's cars, trucks and SUVs, but they can't take the place of good driving habits and the need to reduce speed on snowy or icy roads.

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You also should read:

• Forsyth Schools Decide on Wednesday Closure
• Forsyth County Offices Close, Public Meetings Cancelled
• Winter Storm Leon: How Much Will It Snow in Cumming, Forsyth County
• Forsyth Schools, Pinecrest Decide on Early Release