Hazardous driving conditions remain in Anderson County

 

Note: This story was updated at 11:05 p.m.

Update: State routes were mostly clear Wednesday afternoon, but secondary roads still had snow and ice in spots, especially where they are shaded. Some roads remained entirely snow-covered. Areas that melted in the sun Wednesday were expected to refreeze overnight as the temperatures will once again be in the single digits. Motorists should continue to use caution.

Three traffic crashes had been reported as of 4 p.m., and deputies planned to continue patrolling and answering calls in four-wheel-drive vehicles.

Hazardous driving conditions remained in Anderson County on Wednesday morning, with some state routes still having snow and ice.

Secondary roads are mostly snow-covered, with ice in places, said Mark Lucas, Anderson County Sheriff’s Department chief deputy.

“Bitter cold temperatures overnight resulted in many roads freezing over and becoming dangerous,” Lucas said. “Motorists should use extreme caution if travel is necessary.”

Three traffic crashes were reported Tuesday, but none have been reported so far Wednesday morning, Lucas said.

Both the Tennessee Department of Transportation and the Anderson County Highway Department were out all night working on the roads.

Sheriff’s Department deputies remain on patrol in four-wheel-drive vehicles, Lucas said.

On Tuesday afternoon, Lucas reported that Anderson County roads and highways were snow-covered, and roads were slick and hazardous, with ice under the snow on bridges and overpasses. TDOT crews were out salting and plowing the state routes and highways, and the Anderson County Highway Department was handling county roads.

At that time, Sheriff’s Department deputies, who were on patrol in four-wheel-drive vehicles, had responded to routine calls, with only a couple of cars off into ditches, as of 4 p.m. Wednesday.

However, at least in Oak Ridge, more snow seemed to accumulate in the area between about 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tuesday. The Oak Ridge Police Department reported that road conditions were still bad Wednesday morning, especially in the city’s neighborhoods.

There appeared to be fewer crashes on Tuesday than when roads were icy earlier this month, at least in Anderson County. On Monday, January 8, there had been 16 reports of motor vehicle crashes, Lucas said that week. Of those crashes, 14 were non-injury and two resulted in minor injuries. On a typical Monday, the Sheriff’s Department usually only has about three crashes all day, Lucas said.

More information will be added as it becomes available.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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